PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – A member of a Pirates playoff team said of Bucs first round pick Henry Davis , 'I think they just got a can't-miss guy'.
Then Gaby Sanchez, on the Pirates 2013 Wild Card winning team, doubled down.
"He is a lot more advanced at this point than any other player in this draft," Sanchez told 93.7 The Fan. "He's a guy who could be in the big leagues in two years and I wouldn't be surprised at all."
Sanchez called some Louisville games on the ACC Network this year said he really noticed the change with Davis in how he handled pitchers. His ability to make adjustments and talk to pitchers during and in-between innings improved greatly.
"He's a game changer," Sanchez told the PM Team Monday. "For me catcher is a very, very important position. Probably the most important on the field. He is very smart. Knows what he is doing, blocking ability is there."
Sanchez said he believes that Davis really provided a good example for the 28-win Cardinals team.
"He seems to be a leader," Sanchez said. "He definitely carried that Louisville team, the guys respected him. They respected him because of the hard work and ethics."
And probably because he hit .370 with 15 home runs and even stole 10 bases.
"He was definitely the number one guy I saw hitting wise in the ACC," Sanchez said. "Guys weren't even close to him with the way it was able to attack pitchers. Soft and easy hands and just pop off the bat. He hits the ball hard."
Sanchez made a high compliment comparison in who Davis reminds him of.
"You got a catcher who is like a JT Realmuto. You got a good catcher who can move behind the plate. Really strong arm with power for days that can hit all sides of the field. He is a very, very impressive player and one that shouldn't take long to get to the big leagues."
When he gets to the majors, Sanchez believes Davis is a .300 hitter with power around 20-25 home runs. Since 2018, Pirates catchers have combined for 25 home runs.
"He is a lot more advanced at this point than any other player in this draft," Sanchez said. "He's a guy who could be in the big leagues in two years and I wouldn't be surprised at all."
