PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Well, Henry Davis has left AA. The Bucs first overall pick two years ago isn’t coming to Pittsburgh, but is stepping up to AAA.
Made out by some to be a bad situation that Davis remained in AA, to the contrary, the Altoona catcher did what all general managers want players to do—force their hand.
Pirates GM Ben Cherington said numerous times last month as Davis pushed, both guys, he and AAA catcher Endy Rodriguez, have the potential to be primary catchers on a good major league team. Cherington wanted each of them to get to be a primary catcher in the minors and experience all that goes into catching as a professional. He thought it was the best way to develop them to be ready for the majors.
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Davis was just too good. He hit 10 home runs in the first couple of months with 27 RBI, a .284 batting average and a .433 on base percentage. He needed another challenge. Ideally Rodriguez wouldn’t have dealt with an injury in April and could be with the Pirates already. It didn’t happen that way and now Rodriguez has started to hit. Also 23, the switch-hitting Rodriguez not only has a five-game hitting streak but 10 hits over that span. For the season, Rodriguez is hitting .247 with a .341 OBP and four home runs.
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Cherington discussed the opportunity to give the Pirates manager options most managers never had with a pair of good hitting catchers, who can also play other positions. It looks like now they will start to explore options together in AAA. If Rodriguez keeps hitting, look for him to join the MLB team and either sending down Jason Delay or keeping three catchers.
Davis’ first game is Tuesday as the Indians open a six-game home series against Omaha.
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