Former top pick Henry Davis arrives in Pittsburgh eager to help after sprint through the minors
Henry Davis called up from Triple-A Indianapolis to make debut at PNC Park in Pittsburgh
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Updated: 7:41 PM EDT Jun 19, 2023
Yeah, I mean, if, if I can help the Pirates win and, and right, I'm excited about it and one of the to kind of get into the of what you've done this season, the m one of the things that jumps out is how much you've been walking this year compared to last year's, what have been some of those changes that you made and, you know, what do you attribute to that in particular? Just, just trying to have *** good at bat honestly and, you know, look for *** good pitch to hit and be, be stubborn to that as you were making your way into the ballpark, you know, you walk or drive. But what was some of the thoughts that were going through your head, whether it's, you know, thoughts that to this day or just thoughts that you've had, you know, *** lot over the course of these last couple of years, I think, I think it just kind of shifted more towards, you know, what are, what are my objectives for the day, you know, get in, get my lift and then what do I want to accomplish during the work day and get ready to play the game. Your time in AAA was short. Um, what did they tell you when you got called up to AAA? Were you expecting it to be as short as it was if you managed to be pretty decent here? Um, uh, they didn't give, they didn't do anything to, you know, set my expectations or anything like that, but I hoped, you know, if I continue to play well, that I could prove that I could help the team win, what do you think you did show them your brief time there that allowed them to feel comfortable enough to this level? I, I hope just consistency, you know, it's, it's not always about *** big game or, you know, or, or *** poor game on, on that end, just being consistent and showing that I can have good at bats and, you know, play good defense wherever I am and help the team win. I know you mentioned, you know, what you have to do over the course of this day and I'm sure you'll get to that once we're done here. Have you allowed yourself the opportunity yet to really look around? And so the fact that you are about three hours and step on me to the field for the first time, probably not yet. Um I think that that's the, the blessing that comes with, uh, you know, having *** job to do with it, but I'm definitely, I'm very thankful to be here. It's, it's an honor and *** privilege and I, I appreciate every bit of it. I was, I was suspicious when I wasn't in the lineup. Um, but, uh, and then when I got called in it was very close to the game. So I, I suspected again. Yeah, he, uh, we were going over video. Um Des Moines has *** outfield wall that's similar to PNC park and we were going over some of the balls. I played off it this past week and then he asked me to get him *** water from the fridge and in the fridge there was *** piece of paper that said you're going to the show. So, yeah. Yeah, you have family friends. Do you have? Yeah, it, it was *** scramble yesterday. So I kinda just sent invitations and then got on my flight and it's been ***, *** little bit of *** circus. But um my family will be here and my fiance is here and her family is, is here as well. Among others, here's um being called up to the rookie, being called up to the first round pick and then there's 11 getting called up. What sort of onus or pressure do you feel as *** future cog this big in the Pirates franchise to deliver and deliver quickly? I think my job is the same. You know, whether I was the first pick or the last pick. It's, if I'm in this locker room. It's do everything I can to help the team win every day. Have you worked with? Uh, I briefly was with him in Indianapolis and I caught him during Big K. I'm in right field today. I believe, I don't know, specifically we send, we send him some of them, but I think the call up is better. Henry. Do they, do they talk to you about? I mean, do you anticipate at least in this first stretch, just working in right field or they talk to you about cashing at all? I'm not, I'm not sure, you know, um I think I'm just anything I can to, to help the team win and get in the line up any way I can and do my best wherever I am. Hey, this might be *** weird one because you're usually so collective, you know, driven, but like, have there been any butterflies over these last 24 hours of like, oh my God, this is actually happening. I was pretty nervous on Saturday night. Um, but I think after the or after I was told I was, I was mostly relieved like I was just like, I mean, very excited for the opportunity, but right, just ready to help the team and ready to get started limited time in AAA was, would you take away from it that allowed you to, you're ready to be here now? I think just, just consistency at another level as well. You know, um, there's some differences there. Um, but, you know, sticking to my approach and, and I mean, really just doing my best every day and, you know, not that I'll ever be *** finished product but finding different ways to get better every day, whether that was in spring training or in Altuna or in, in AAA or here just finding ways to get better and using that to, to make myself *** better player and help the team win. Did you feel like you were ready to come to the major league? I, I mean, I think it, at any point, I would have been confident in my ability to help the team, you know, have *** good at bat, um or, you know, play, just play well and, and contribute to *** win. But I, I don't know if it's more of ***, like ***, *** point where I can point out one moment, but I just, I mean, I've, I've always been confident in my ability is relatively new for you. How much of *** crash course are you gonna get, or have you been given playing great field here at PNC Park with II I, I'll be out there in *** little bit and I, I'm, I'm sure I'll be practicing and, you know, getting acclimated to how the ball bounces off and being, being ready to, you know, field my position best I can when I'm out there. Um But yeah, I just, I mean, do my best listen to the coaches and other outfielders, any advice they would have. Harry, it's been two years since you got drafted. Why do you think you rose through the system so quickly? Had *** lot of, *** lot of help. I mean, definitely been *** team effort, um, and whether that's my family or coaches or, you know, just had *** lot of help. You. Good. Thank you.
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Former top pick Henry Davis arrives in Pittsburgh eager to help after sprint through the minors
Henry Davis called up from Triple-A Indianapolis to make debut at PNC Park in Pittsburgh
The Pirates tried to take their time with Henry Davis.His bat wouldn't let them.The top overall pick in the 2021 amateur draft was to make his major-league debut on Monday night, playing right field while batting seventh against the Chicago Cubs in hopes of sparking an erratic offense in serious need of a jolt.Henry Davis introduced at PNC Park: Watch the video above.The Pirates insist they remain committed to making Davis an everyday catcher. For now, however, the 23-year-old will spend most of his time — at least during games — getting a crash course in how to play right field at PNC Park, where the 21-foot-high Roberto Clemente Wall and its sometimes funky caroms can make learning the position on the fly difficult.“If I can help the Pirates win in right, I’m excited about it,” Davis said.Davis' debut caps a rapid rise through the system, particularly this season. He began the year at Double-A Altoona and was promoted to Triple-A Indianapolis on June 4 with the team intent on having him splitting catching with fellow prospect Endy Rodriguez.Instead, the Pirates stashed Davis in the outfield to get his bat in the lineup regularly, and he responded by hitting .286 with three doubles, a home run, and three RBIs in 10 games.Davis was “suspicious” about his future when he was held out of the Indianapolis lineup on Sunday. Manager Miguel Perez sat him down and asked him to grab a water out of the small refrigerator in Perez's office, where a note that read “you're going to the Show” awaited.A frantic 24 hours followed, ending with Davis walking through the tunnel at PNC Park on Monday afternoon as a big leaguer.Asked if he was surprised how short his stint was at Triple-A, Davis shrugged.“I think at any point, I would’ve been confident in my ability to help the team have a good at-bat or just play well and contribute to a win,” he said. “I don’t know if it’s more of a point where I can point out one moment. I’ve always been confident in my ability.”Pittsburgh is hoping some of that confidence translates into help for a team enduring a roller coaster of a season. The Pirates started 20-8, stumbled through a dismal May, rebounded to briefly move into first place in the underwhelming NL Central this month before going winless on a six-game trip to Chicago and Milwaukee that dropped them to fourth.Davis is among the first building blocks general manager Ben Cherington put in place when he took over in November 2019. Davis' arrival in Pittsburgh is part of the leading edge of what the club hopes will be a massive talent influx at the major-league level over the next few years.“It’s exciting because I think it shows that the process that Ben put in place and the way he’s talked about it is starting to come to fruition a little bit with our group,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said. "And, anytime we can add guys internally that we feel are going to be part of what we’re building, it’s exciting.”Video above: Henry Davis talks about being drafted by Pirates (July 2021)Davis grew up in Westchester County, hour north of New York City. Three standout years at Louisville led the Pirates to make him first overall in 2021 and he needed just 421 at-bats in the minors — including 24 home runs — to prove to the organization he was ready to shoulder the massive expectations that come with being taken “one-one.”Even if it's not in the role they initially envisioned. Davis' development as a catcher remains very much a work in progress. While Shelton said Davis will catch in games at the major-league level at some point, for now, Davis will be tutored behind the scenes by veterans Jason Delay and Austin Hedges. Davis' education will include copious amounts of video work, plenty of bullpen sessions and sitting in on catcher meetings when he can.“We have two catchers here that have invested not only in him, but our whole catching group starting going back to spring training and Hedges and Delay in terms of how they get better,” Shelton said. “And, I expect that that will continue. In fact, I know that will continue.”There appears to be no rush to throw Davis behind the plate in a game situation. There is a major rush, however, to let him stand in the batter's box and swing away. The Pirates entered Monday 21st in the majors in runs and 24th in homers. Davis could provide a boost in both departments for a team that finds itself in the division race — such as it is — with July approaching.They believe the catching will come at some point. The way he handles himself with the bat in his hands, however, made waiting for the defense to catch up less of a priority.“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. "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.”
PITTSBURGH (AP) —
The Pirates tried to take their time with Henry Davis.
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His bat wouldn't let them.
The top overall pick in the 2021 amateur draft was to make his major-league debut on Monday night, playing right field while batting seventh against the Chicago Cubs in hopes of sparking an erratic offense in serious need of a jolt.
Henry Davis introduced at PNC Park: Watch the video above.
The Pirates insist they remain committed to making Davis an everyday catcher. For now, however, the 23-year-old will spend most of his time — at least during games — getting a crash course in how to play right field at PNC Park, where the 21-foot-high Roberto Clemente Wall and its sometimes funky caroms can make learning the position on the fly difficult.
“If I can help the Pirates win in right, I’m excited about it,” Davis said.
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You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
Davis' debut caps a rapid rise through the system, particularly this season. He began the year at Double-A Altoona and was promoted to Triple-A Indianapolis on June 4 with the team intent on having him splitting catching with fellow prospect Endy Rodriguez.
Instead, the Pirates stashed Davis in the outfield to get his bat in the lineup regularly, and he responded by hitting .286 with three doubles, a home run, and three RBIs in 10 games.
Davis was “suspicious” about his future when he was held out of the Indianapolis lineup on Sunday. Manager Miguel Perez sat him down and asked him to grab a water out of the small refrigerator in Perez's office, where a note that read “you're going to the Show” awaited.
A frantic 24 hours followed, ending with Davis walking through the tunnel at PNC Park on Monday afternoon as a big leaguer.
Asked if he was surprised how short his stint was at Triple-A, Davis shrugged.
“I think at any point, I would’ve been confident in my ability to help the team have a good at-bat or just play well and contribute to a win,” he said. “I don’t know if it’s more of a point where I can point out one moment. I’ve always been confident in my ability.”
This content is imported from Twitter.
You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
Henry Davis said he had a suspicion something was up when he wasn’t in the lineup yesterday.
Said he found out he was heading to the majors when he was asked to get a bottle of water, opened the fridge, and there were the papers.
Pittsburgh is hoping some of that confidence translates into help for a team enduring a roller coaster of a season. The Pirates started 20-8, stumbled through a dismal May, rebounded to briefly move into first place in the underwhelming NL Central this month before going winless on a six-game trip to Chicago and Milwaukee that dropped them to fourth.
Davis is among the first building blocks general manager Ben Cherington put in place when he took over in November 2019. Davis' arrival in Pittsburgh is part of the leading edge of what the club hopes will be a massive talent influx at the major-league level over the next few years.
“It’s exciting because I think it shows that the process that Ben put in place and the way he’s talked about it is starting to come to fruition a little bit with our group,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said. "And, anytime we can add guys internally that we feel are going to be part of what we’re building, it’s exciting.”
Video above: Henry Davis talks about being drafted by Pirates (July 2021)
Davis grew up in Westchester County, hour north of New York City. Three standout years at Louisville led the Pirates to make him first overall in 2021 and he needed just 421 at-bats in the minors — including 24 home runs — to prove to the organization he was ready to shoulder the massive expectations that come with being taken “one-one.”
Even if it's not in the role they initially envisioned. Davis' development as a catcher remains very much a work in progress. While Shelton said Davis will catch in games at the major-league level at some point, for now, Davis will be tutored behind the scenes by veterans Jason Delay and Austin Hedges. Davis' education will include copious amounts of video work, plenty of bullpen sessions and sitting in on catcher meetings when he can.
“We have two catchers here that have invested not only in him, but our whole catching group starting going back to spring training and Hedges and Delay in terms of how they get better,” Shelton said. “And, I expect that that will continue. In fact, I know that will continue.”
There appears to be no rush to throw Davis behind the plate in a game situation. There is a major rush, however, to let him stand in the batter's box and swing away. The Pirates entered Monday 21st in the majors in runs and 24th in homers. Davis could provide a boost in both departments for a team that finds itself in the division race — such as it is — with July approaching.
They believe the catching will come at some point. The way he handles himself with the bat in his hands, however, made waiting for the defense to catch up less of a priority.
“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. "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.”
