PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – After some really bad seasons early in his career with the Pirates, GM Ben Cherington’s bet may be paying off on Henry Davis.
The first overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft had early returns of a flat out bust. He reached the majors in his second full professional, battling through some thumb injuries and hit .213 with a .302 on-base percentage, .351 slugging and .653 OPS in 62 games. Last year he appeared in 37 games hitting only .144 average/.242 on-base/.212 slugging/.454 OPS with one home run in 104 at bats.
It was unsure coming into this season what his role would be. Joey Bart was one of the best finds in baseball and switch-hitting Endy Rodriguez were in the mix with Davis. When it came down to it, the first-round pick was sent to AAA to start the season. His career appeared at a crossroads with both Bart and Rodriguez having years of control.
A mid-April injury opened the door. Paul Skenes wanting him as his catcher got him at least one start a week. Then the injury to Bart became his launching point.
Davis was hitting .174 when Bart left the Arizona game with a concussion. The 25-year-old came in, hit a home run and doubled. Since that game May 27, Davis has a majority of starts hitting three home runs, two doubles with 6 RBI.
Cherington said he’s run into some things no one could have anticipated. He’s always seen pitches well, recognized balls and strikes and had bat speed and power. He believes in Davis’ desire to improve, often you will try anything to improve and sometimes you jump down the wrong rabbit hole searching for answers. The Pirates general manager believes he may have gotten himself into some bad habits and is working his way out of it. He’s had to do it at the MLB level where he is now having more consistent at bats.
“You are seeing him use more of the field,” Cherington said during his show on 93.7 The Fan and the Pirates Radio Network Sunday. “You are seeing at bats where the field is opening up for him. There are situations early in the season where he could hit the ball really hard, but it was foul down the line. We are just seeing the balls hit hard over the span of the field.”
Defense hasn’t been an issue, which is interesting because is was his biggest drawback as a draft hopeful. Now Davis is the Pirates best catcher at the MLB level.
“That was a bet,” Cherington said on 93.7 The Fan. “One of the things we think about with younger players is defense is something that can improve if the will is there and the right coaching and programming is there with it. You make a bet the defense will improve and we are seeing it with Henry.”
Cherington said with the work ethic he always though Davis would have success. He doesn’t settle and will put in all the extra work needed. The Bucs GM said when a player has that, he will always improve.
“The overall thing I would saw with Henry Davis, with a player like that, there is always something more we will see in the future,” Cherington said during his radio show. “We don’t know what it is. I’m excited to see how that evolution plays out.”