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Former Padres First-Round Pick Signs One-Year Deal With World Series Champs

Originally posted on FanNation Inside The Padres
By Jason Fray | Last updated 1/28/24

Once one of the jewels in San Diego's farm system, Travis Jankowski is returning to a team where he enjoyed some real success.

According to various reports, Jankowski has agreed to a one-year deal with the Texas Rangers. Reporter Buster Olney confirmed the deal, saying that Jankowski will earn at least $1.7 million. Those numbers could increase based on performance bonuses.

Jankowski first joined the Rangers last year as a free agent. Performing mostly as a reserve outfielder, he fit in brilliantly with the culture of the club.

Rangers, Travis Jankowski agree to 1-year deal per GM Chris Young. pic.twitter.com/Vhzn33tbNu
— MLB (@MLB) January 26, 2024

The 32-year-old finished the year with a respectable .263 batting average. While he hit only one home run during the regular season, he did lead Texas with 19 stolen bases.

Having a reserve player with such an impressive singular trait is something the Rangers clearly value. Hitting .333 in the playoffs with a .844 OPS surely helped Jankowski's cause in garnering another contract.

Jankowski has had an interesting road leading up to winning a World Series with the Rangers last season.

Travis Jankowski's deal with the Rangers is for one-year, $1.7m, plus performance bonuses.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) January 27, 2024

San Diego took him No. 44 Overall in the 2012 MLB Draft. This came off the heels of leading tiny Stony Brook to the College World Series. A prolific contact hitter, the Padres gladly scooped him up before the second round began.

After toiling away in the minor leagues for three seasons, Jankowski made his debut with the Padres in 2015.

Playing all of the outfield spots, Jankowski's hit tool was wildly inconsistent. In parts of five seasons with the Padres, Jankowski never hit more than four home runs in a single season. He was a prolific stolen base merchant, though he didn't get on base enough to maximize that trait.

From 2020-22, Jankowski bounced around multiple clubs (Cincinnati, Philadelphia, New York Mets, Seattle) before finding a home with the Rangers.

This article first appeared on FanNation Inside The Padres and was syndicated with permission.

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