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Former No. 1 overall pick Henry Davis hits double in first MLB at-bat with Pirates

Henry Davis was called up to the Pirates for Monday's game against the Cubs

Ryan Young
Staff writer
·2 min read
22

Henry Davis made his major-league debut Monday and wasted no time at the plate.

Davis, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 amateur draft, was called up from the team’s Triple-A affiliate Sunday and placed into right field for the Pirates’ game against the Chicago Cubs on Monday.

Davis, who hit seventh in their lineup, drilled a shot into left field that had him jogging safely into second base in his very first at-bat.

Henry Davis was selected No. 1 overall by the Pirates in 2021 out of Louisville.
Henry Davis was selected No. 1 overall by the Pirates in 2021 out of Louisville. (Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

Davis was selected first in the amateur draft out of Louisville in 2021. The catcher started the 2023 season with the team’s Double-A affiliate and was then promoted to the Triple-A team in Indianapolis on June 4.

The goal was for him to split time catching there with fellow prospect Endy Rodriguez, but the team quickly threw him into the outfield instead. While there, Davis hit .286 and had a home run and three RBI in 10 games. On Sunday, they pulled him from the lineup and promoted him to the major leagues.

"Watching him play, how he carries himself, you can definitely tell he's a different caliber of [a] baseball player than most," Pirates pitcher Mitch Keller said of Davis, via The Associated Press. "I think just the way he carries himself and his game speaks for itself, obviously. I don't think there's too much question of how good he is."

It’s not clear when the Pirates will move Davis behind the plate, though he'll likely get there eventually. The team already has veteran catchers Jason Delay and Austin Hedges in place, so there's not much of a rush.

For now, Davis is more than content playing in the outfield.

"If I can help the Pirates win in right, I'm excited about it," he said.

Despite Davis’ hot start, the Cubs rolled past the Pirates to an 8-0 win. The Pirates have now lost seven straight games and 10 of their past 12. They sit third in the NL Central, three games back of the Cincinnati Reds and Milwaukee Brewers.