Travis Kinyoun saw 3 seasons, 3 organizations, high-A
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Taken by the Tigers late in the 1988 draft, Travis Kinyoun told his hometown Simi Valley Star he'd hoped to have been drafted earlier. But he was still happy to be taken.
But he was still happy to be taken.
"I was expecting to go much higher but things didn't seem to work out that way," Kinyoun told The Star. "I'm still excited about this. Playing pro ball is what I've always wanted to do. It's a dream of my life. I hope I make the best of it."
Kinyoun went on to see a pro career that spanned three seasons - and three organizations. He topped out at high-A.
Kinyoun's career began in 1989, taken by the Tigers in the 36th round of the previous year's draft out of Royal High School in Simi Valley.
Coming out of his first spring in 1989, Kinyoun got the honor of playing in an exhibition game for the Tigers against the Blue Jays after catcher injuries, The Star wrote then.
"Going out and warming up the pitcher between innings and talking to the guys who have made it is a fantastic feeling," Kinyoun told The Star. "It's hard to describe. I didn't get into the game to play, but it was great just being there."
Kinyoun then started on the field at rookie Bristol. He saw 53 games that summer and hit .232. He also hit four home runs.
For 1990, he moved to the Mets system in a trade and saw rookie Kingsport and short-season Pittsfield. But he played in only 21 games and asked for and got his release that August.
"I think I've got a good future," Kinyoun told The Star then. "There's no doubt in my mind that I've got the ability to do well."
For 1991, he signed on with the Royals. He saw 24 games at high-A Baseball City and 25 at single-A Appleton. He hit .235 on the year. That season marked his last as a pro.
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- Simi Valley Star, June 5, 1988: Kinyon drafted
- Simi Valley Star, April 5, 1989: Kinyoun gets an early look at life in the big leagues
- Simi Valley Star, Aug. 25, 1990: Kinyoun looks for place to catch on
Made the Majors:1,473-31.8%
Never Made Majors:3,165-68.2%-X