The Pirates are calling catcher Henry Davis up from Triple-A Indianapolis, MLB.com’s Alex Stumpf experiences. No corresponding transfer is but recognized, although Davis’ arrival is probably going associated to Joey Bart leaving Friday’s sport as a consequence of decrease again discomfort.
Bart was the beginning catcher in Pittsburgh’s 5-3 loss to the Reds, however he was changed within the area previous to the underside of the second inning. The Pirates described Bart’s standing as day-to-day, but having one other Davis readily available is a clever transfer even within the brief time period, so the workforce wouldn’t be fully shorthanded behind the plate if backup catcher Endy Rodriguez additionally picked up an damage. Extra will likely be recognized later Saturday on Bart’s standing and whether or not or not he is likely to be headed to the 10-day injured record.
In any case, the scenario has led to a different big-league search for Davis, the primary general choose of the 2021 draft. Heralded for his batting potential on the College of Louisville, Davis has but to point out something on the plate on the MLB degree. After hitting .213/.302/.351 in 255 plate appearances in his 2023 rookie season, Davis had solely a .144/.242/.212 slash line in 122 PA final 12 months. His 2024 marketing campaign was additionally marred by a pair of IL stints — one on the concussion-related injured record, and one other as a consequence of hand irritation.
Davis’ growth has taken a number of twists and turns, mainly as a result of Bucs’ experiment with Davis as an outfielder, because the workforce appeared for tactics to suit each Davis and one other prime catching prospect in Rodriguez into the lineup on the identical time. This long-term view hit some fast roadblocks, nonetheless, as Rodriguez missed the complete 2024 season as a consequence of UCL surgical procedure, plus Bart (additionally a former prime prospect throughout his time with the Giants) additionally broke out with stable numbers final 12 months to say the beginning catching job.
The Pirates have now recommitted Davis to a catching-only path, whereas Rodriguez has seen a very good chunk of motion at first base along with serving as Bart’s backup this season. Maybe no matter how the fielding scenario may develop, Davis isn’t going to stay within the Present except he can hit, and it’s nonetheless far too early to write down Davis off at age 25. His minor-league numbers additionally trace on the potential, as Davis has a .316/.417/.548 slash line and 15 homers over 346 profession PA on the Triple-A degree.
