Travis Buck
Unlike many of the names on this list, Travis Buck started his MLB career with the Oakland Athletics rather than ending it there. He was drafted by the A’s in 2005 and was the 35th overall pick that year. Throughout his time in the Athletics’ farm system, he was a top rated prospect and was even rated as the #50 top prospect in all of Major League Baseball. Oakland was eager to call him up to make his debut at the O.co Coliseum.
He made Oakland’s Opening Day roster in 2007, just two years after he was drafted, because there was a space open on the roster after Dan Johnson incurred an injury. He had a pretty good season with the A’s that year as he went .288/.377/.474 with an .850 OPS over 82 games played. Unfortunately, it all went downhill from there.
Buck started off the 2008 season with the Oakland Athletics but was demoted to Triple-A for most of the year. He was recalled in September, but he was just not as strong offensively. Buck’s offense continued to dwindle and his batting average went from .226 in 2008 to .219 in 2009. Despite performing well in the Minors, he just could not find success in the big leagues. Ultimately, the Oakland Athletics decided to non-tender his contract after the 2009 season. Buck spent the rest of his Major League career as a quintessential Four-A Player, journeying up and down between the major and minor leagues with various organizations.
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