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Henry Davis, the Pittsburgh Pirates' former first overall pick, is facing significant challenges at the plate, batting just .091 in 22 at-bats across 10 Grapefruit League games.
This is a disappointing performance for any player, regardless of spring training status. Notably, Davis was selected first in the 2021 amateur draft but holds a career batting average of .181 over 581 major-league at-bats spanning three seasons.
Some analysts have suggested the Pirates consider trading Davis for the best possible return.
However, the Pirates remain committed to Davis, valuing his defense, which has improved markedly since he began his professional career. Last season, he recorded eight defensive runs saved in just 83 games.
While it is clear Davis may not become the offensive powerhouse the Pirates initially envisioned, the team still expects him to contribute at the plate.
Over the winter, Davis reworked his swing with the help of biomechanics. He now adopts a more upright stance and no longer rests the bat on his shoulder, changes he believes have improved his performance even if the results have yet to appear in his statistics.
“I feel the best I’ve had in my at-bats,” Davis told reporters at the Pirates’ spring training camp in Bradenton, Fla. “I’m swinging at the right pitches and hitting the ball hard. Early in camp, I was popping up too much, but getting used to the new stance and catching the ball more out in front just takes a bit of time.”
“I’m glad I haven’t chased the results, which haven’t been good. I really believe in what I am doing.”
Davis and Joey Bart are the two catchers most likely to make the opening-day roster, though Bart is also struggling this spring, batting .107 over 10 games and 28 plate appearances.
The struggles of Davis and Bart have opened the door for Endy Rodriguez, who has made a strong comeback from his second elbow surgery in three years. Rodriguez is hitting .308 (8-for-26) with two home runs in 10 Grapefruit League games.
Bart is out of minor-league options, meaning the team would have to place him on waivers to send him to Triple-A Indianapolis. Davis, with two options remaining, could be the odd man out if Rodriguez secures a spot on the opening-day roster.
With the season opener just nine days away on March 26 against the Mets in New York, Davis remains focused on his revamped approach at the plate.
“I think I’m in a really good spot right now,” Davis said. “I’m swinging at the right pitches and not chasing bad ones. I’ve got plenty of pop. I just need to get my timing so I can catch balls out in front of the plate. I feel I’m doing that.”
The 26-year-old catcher understands that baseball is a results-driven business, regardless of the process.
“All the work I’m putting in is to produce,” Davis said. “That’s the goal as players. That’s how we keep our jobs.”
