When the Pirates went under slot to draft and sign Henry Davis, the assumption was that he wasn’t a worthy candidate for the first overall pick, and the team ‘cheaped’ out.
Going back to the 2021 draft, there were quite a few names popping around as potential picks, and while he wasn’t the most talked about player, Davis was among the names to be in consideration.
It didn’t help that he hasn’t been able to stay on the field his first full season, and when he was healthy, the numbers didn’t look ideal.
Now back at 100%, Davis is starting to look like the player that put him in the position to be a potential option as the first overall pick.
With a more patient approach at the plate (20.5 BB%), Davis has really unlocked his power, as he hit his sixth home run of the season in the first game of the double header on Saturday.
So, now with Davis healthy, and showing his power upside, what’s the next step?
He’s handling Double-A pitchers well, obviously, so it would make some sense to get the catcher up to Triple-A for a new challenge. Of course, Endy Rodriguez is currently there.
The reason they were split up at the beginning of the year was so that they can both maximize time behind the plate, furthering their development at the position that would bring them both the most value.
It would make the most to have Davis continue catching in Altoona while Rodriguez is in Indianapolis, but only to an extent.
While it’s a safe assumption that Endy is only in the minors right now due to working around Super-Two and service time, the success of the major league team could potentially alter their plans throughout the system.
Endy could prove to be another big addition to an already strong offense. With how strong the wheels have been turning, you could make an argument not to veer too far off their current path they are on.
If that should be the case, and Endy stays in Indianapolis a little longer than originally predicted (his brief IL-stint could prove a perfect excuse), that causes a trickle down of sorts that would impact Davis.
It would be at that point you would have to think they would throw their original plans out the window, and start to work on ways to get them both in the lineup at the same time.
Realistically, based on how the Pirates have moved their prospects up, there isn’t as much a rush on getting Davis up this season. He’s not Rule-5 eligible till the end of the 2024 season, so the Pirates could take their time with him.
With the way the season has started, it kind of seems like Davis has a different timeline in mind, and could be pushing the situation by the end of the year.
Any doubt about Davis in general is starting to be put aside, and while it already seemed like they were in a really strong position have both him and Endy in the future, it’s starting to feel like that could be sooner rather than later.
Daily Video Rundown
Tsung-Che Cheng with a three run HR to give the Grasshoppers a 5-0 lead #LetsGoBucs pic.twitter.com/b0iYccXrdT
— Anthony Murphy (@__Murphy88) April 30, 2023
Infielder Tsung-Che Cheng picked up his third home run of the season. While Greensboro is known for being hitter friendly, Cheng had shown more power on the road than at home until on Saturday.
First career K for Cody
Recently promoted pitcher Cody Bolton made his major league debut on Saturday, as well as picking up his first strikeout.
A base hit 13 years in the making. pic.twitter.com/SLQuoZU0lD
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) April 30, 2023
An amazing moment, as Drew Maggi picked up his first hit and RBI on the same play.
PIRATES PROSPECTS DAILY
By Tim Williams
Pirates Recap: Pirates Sweep Double Header Against Nationals
Prospect Watch: Big Days for Josh Palacios and Mike Jarvis, Good Start for Luis Ortiz
Minor Moves: Endy Rodriguez Returns to Indianapolis
Pirates Draft Prospects: A Look at the New Draft Rankings and Many Familiar Names
SONG OF THE DAY
