Trey Vavra - 2015

[formerly33]

Treysen Howard Vavra, first baseman, left fielder, and designated hitter for Class A Midwest League Cedar Rapids Kernels, was selected by the Twins in the 33rd round of the 2014 First-Year Player Draft out of Florida Southern College. Born in Mesa, Arizona on September 17th, 1991, Trey grew up in Menomonie, Wisconsin and became the second son of Twins' bench coach Joe Vavra to be drafted by the Twins in as many years, following his older brother Tanner who had been drafted in the 30th round in 2013. Trey bats and throws right handed, and he is currently listed as 6'2" and 185 lb.

 

Vavra had an outstanding junior college career at Madison and played summer ball for the Duluth Huskies of the Northwoods League, a collegiate summer baseball league, where he earned a spot on the 2012 all-star game after hitting .348 with 9 doubles, 2 triples, and a home run in his first 43 games. That year he accepted a full ride scholarship to play NCAA Division I baseball for the Eastern Illinois University Panthers, and the following year he hit .318/.406/.568 (.974) with 20 doubles, 2 triples, and 8 home runs in 49 games and was named MVP.

 

After playing his junior season in 2013 at Division I, Vavra transferred to Division II Florida Southern Moccasins and went on to lead the Sunshine State Conference in RBIs with 51. That season he hit .330 with 15 doubles, 1 triple, and 6 home runs, leading the team in doubles and home runs and tying the lead for hits, and he also drew 15 walks, was hit by 12 pitches, and posted a .495 slugging percentage, leading the Mocs to a South Region runner-up finish after falling 3-0 to Tampa in the championship round.

 

Trey Vavra; FSC Baseball vs. West Florida (GM1, 2/1/14); Henley Field | photo by Florida Southern via Flickr

 

Trey Vavra had talks with many different teams leading up to the 2014 draft, least of all the Twins, and he was expected to go somewhere between the 15th and 20th round. But when he still hadn't been drafted in the 33rd round, the Twins picked him up as the 5th selection of that round (980th overall). Though the Vavras had been hoping that he would go earlier in the draft, it was well worth the wait to have him fall and come to the same organization that Joe and Tanner Vavra were already part of, and Trey was just thankful to be playing pro ball, no matter what round he was picked in.

 

He started out his minor league career on the Elizabethton Twins of the Appalachian League where he put up fantastic numbers, hitting .319/.392/.454 (.846) with 20 doubles, a triple, and a home run in 50 games.

 

Trey Vavra during Spring Training (3/15/15) | photo by Bryan Green via Flickr

 

Vavra has gotten off to a hot start with the Kernels this year, and he has currently played in 30 games, hitting .327/.393/.495 (.889) with 7 doubles, 1 triple, 3 home runs, 17 RBI, and 19 runs scored so far. He was named Twins Minor League Player of the Week on the 12th after posting 10 hits (1 double), 8 runs, 2 RBI, and 6 walks in just 19 at bats, earning a .560 batting average on the week.

 

Trey Vavra playing 1B at Cedar Rapids (5/9/15) | photo by Justin Rinaldi via Flickr

 

Trey believes that his versatility as a fielder helps him offensively, and he has worked hard over the years to reach the level he has attained and will continue to do so in the years to come. He is known not only for being a fantastic player but a great teammate as well. The Twins are lucky to have him in their organization, and he in turn feels blessed to have joined his father and brother on their hometown team. He's had a terrific career so far, and I'm looking forward to many more.

 

Twitter: @Tvavra1

[Seth Stohs]

Great report. Thank you for doing this!

 

Here's the article on Vavra that I wrote a few weeks ago after going to Cedar Rapids. 

[formerly33]

Vavra is staying hot in Cedar Rapids, playing in 6 games since I adopted him and going 11-25 (.440) with 2 doubles and 3 homers, driving in 8 runs and striking out only once. The last of those home runs was hit today off of Peoria's Daniel Poncedeleon in the 3rd inning, giving the Kernels a 4-2 lead. Pat Kelly and Nick Gordon were at the corners when Vavra hit a deep fly ball to the gap in right center field. The ball lodged in the padding at the base of the wall, and though the outfielders put up their hands to call a double, they then proceeded to dive after the baseball to try to recover it, allowing all three runs to score on an inside the park home run.

 

Peoria went on to win the game 7-5.

 

Vavra is now batting .348/.405/.568 (.974) on the season with 6 home runs and 34 RBI in 36 games. 4 of those home runs have been 3-run shots.

[formerly33]

Trey Vavra has played in 5 games since my last update, picking up 8 hits and a walk in 24 appearances; all of those hits were singles. He didn't play in yesterday's game versus the Beloit Snappers, but I'm assuming he will be in tonight's lineup versus the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. Here is a link to a video of a home run he hit off of Wisconsin's Zach Hirsch on April 21st, bringing in the first 3 runs of a 10-1 Kernels' win:

 

http://www.milb.com/multimedia/vpp.jsp?content_id=84098683&sid=milb

[formerly33]

Trey Vavra went 1-1 with an RBI double and a run scored in the 1st and a walk in the 2nd and then left the game due to an injured leg in the top of the 3rd. Hope he's going to be okay.

[formerly33]

I was able to find out a little more details about Vavra's injury from an article about yesterday's game by The Gazette.

 

Vavra left the game in the third inning after banging into the tarp down the left-field line chasing a foul ball. It appeared to be a knee injury of some sort, though he did walk off the field under his own power and the injury isn’t believed serious.

[Steven Buhr]

Jake told me after tonight's game that Vavra is "day to day" and that he's still sore. He wasn't able to run on it today. I think they're still hoping it's just a couple more days. 

[formerly33]

Trey Vavra was placed on the 7-day DL with a sprained left ankle, retroactive to May 27.

[formerly33]

Along with reserve pitchers Jared Wilson, Cameron Booser, Felix Jorge, and Trevor Hildenberger, Trey Vavra is one of five Cedar Rapids Kernels selected to play in the 51st Midwest League All-Star Classic (June 23rd, 2015 at Dozer Park, Peoria, IL); he is the only starting Kernel and will play first base for the Western division.

 

Currently on the DL, Trey has played in 42 games this season at Low A, hitting .346/.406/.538 (.944) with 10 doubles, a triple, 6 home runs, 28 RBI, and 29 runs scored.

[goulik]

Along with reserve pitchers Jared Wilson, Cameron Booser, Felix Jorge, and Trevor Hildenberger, Trey Vavra is one of five Cedar Rapids Kernels selected to play in the 51st Midwest League All-Star Classic (June 23rd, 2015 at Dozer Park, Peoria, IL); he is the only starting Kernel and will play first base for the Western division

I think all the TD minds see Gonsalves as the other All Star (woulda been a starter) but Trey Vavra has been an excellent player to follow this year. Congratulations Trey and now welcome to our prospect watch in over drive!

[formerly33]

And of course congratulations to Trey Vavra and Trevor Hildenberger for being awarded Twins' minor league player/pitcher of the month. They deserve it! I'm very proud of my prospect. I only wish I could have a chance to watch him in Cedar Rapids before he gets promoted, but somehow I don't see that happening.