Brennen Davis Stats & Scouting Report

AB	28
AVG	.25
OBP	.417
SLG	.357
HR	0

Full name Brennen Davis
Born 11/02/1999 in Chandler, AZ
Profile Ht.: 6'0" / Wt.: 210 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Basha
Drafted in the 2nd round (62nd overall) by the Chicago Cubs in 2018 (signed for $1,100,000).

View Draft Report

Davis has been a tough one to scout this spring, as he has struggled with a hamstring problem for much of his senior year. He was already more of a projection, having come to baseball late after spending more time playing basketball early in his high school career. Davis was a key contributor when Basha (Chandler, Ariz.) captured the Arizona 6A state championship in his junior year before he started focusing strictly on a baseball career. An above-average or better runner when healthy, the 6-foot-4, 175-pound Davis uses easy, graceful strides in the outfield and on the bases, an his above-average arm gets good carry. The big question with Davis is the development of his bat, as he is still very raw at the plate. He has good, quick hands, but doesn't yet understand how to adjust them to the pitch or leverage his body, resulting in current below-average power. He showed improvement last fall at the WWBA World Championship in Jupiter, Fla., and scouts more recently have noticed more fluidity in his swing. Davis is your typical high-risk, high-reward prospect who would likely require two years of Rookie ball before advancing to a higher minor league level if he signs. He could go as high as the third round, but Davis is an outstanding student who could choose to honor his commitment to Miami if he drops too far in the draft.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

BA Grade/Risk: 55/High

Track Record: The son of former Chicago Bulls point guard Reggie Theus, Davis primarily played basketball growing up before choosing to focus on baseball his senior year of high school. The decision paid off when the Cubs drafted him in the second round and signed him for $1.1 million. Davis has excelled when healthy, but he's struggled with injuries throughout his career. He missed time with a hamstring injury, a broken finger, a broken nose and a concussion across his first three seasons. Expected to rise to the majors in 2022, he instead played just 43 games at Triple-A Iowa after having midseason surgery to repair a malformation of blood vessels in his back. He then made it through five games in the Arizona Fall League before being shut down with lower back tightness.

Scouting Report: Davis stands a long, lean 6-foot-4 and resembles a basketball player with his build and premium athleticism. He has plus raw power with his natural strength and leverage and does damage to all fields when he connects. He has good barrel control and covers the entire plate. Davis makes plenty of impact on contact, but he struggles to pick up spin and takes a lot of uncertain swings. He often gets caught in between and must improve his pitch recognition and swing decisions to make enough contact to be a fringe-average hitter. Davis is a serviceable defender in center field with his above-average speed and long strides, but he projects better in right field and has the above-average arm for the position. Davis' main challenge is to stay healthy. He has played more than 53 games only once in four professional seasons.

The Future: Davis has the ability to be a solid everyday outfielder, but he has missed a lot of development time. He'll aim to make his big league debut in 2023.

Scouting Grades: Hitting: 45. Power: 55. Speed: 55. Fielding: 50. Arm: 55.
Track Record: Davis is the son of former NBA point guard Reggie Theus, but his father is not a part of his life. He was raised by his mother Jakki, a former standout long jumper at Washington, on a ranch in Arizona, where he tended to goats, llamas, chickens, horses, cats, dogs and other animals as part of his childhood responsibilities growing up. Davis grew into a multi-sport standout and helped Basha (Chandler, Ariz.) High win the Arizona 6A state basketball championship as a junior while being named his region’s defensive player of the year, but he stopped playing basketball as a senior to focus on baseball full-time. The decision paid off when the Cubs drafted him in the second round and signed him for an above-slot $1.1 million bonus to forgo a Miami commitment. After being limited by a broken finger in his first full season and spending 2020 at the alternate training site, Davis broke out in 2021. He missed the start of the season after he was hit by a pitch in the face during spring training and suffered a broken nose and a concussion, but he still rose from High-A to Triple-A and led all Cubs full-season minor leaguers in runs (66), doubles (25) and OPS (.869). He hit two home runs at the Futures Game in Denver and was named MVP.

Scouting Report: Davis is built like a basketball player with his long, lean 6-foot-4 frame. His long arms create excellent leverage in his swing and help him generate plus power to his pull side. He has progressively filled out as he’s matured and still has room to get stronger and add more power. Davis’ long levers previously made it difficult for him to be on time against fastballs, but he adjusted his swing to be shorter and quicker and now has no trouble catching up to velocity. He turns around both fastballs and breaking balls, covers the entire plate and drives the ball hard to all fields. Davis occasionally expands the strike zone, especially against secondary pitches down and away from lefthanded pitchers, but he generally forces pitchers to throw strikes. He projects to be an average hitter as long he maintains his patient approach and swing adjustments. Davis is a plus runner who uses his speed more effectively in the outfield than on the basepaths. He effortlessly runs down fly balls in all directions and projects to be an above-average defender in center field. He may slow down as he fills out and move to right field, where his plus arm strength will fit. Davis is a thoughtful, charitable individual who offered to pay off his mom’s house with his signing bonus and donated 40 pairs of cleats to his high school. He continues to care for his pet llamas, Marco and Polo, in the offseason.

The Future: Davis has the talent to be an all-star and the personality to be a fan favorite in Chicago. He is likely to begin the 2022 season back at Triple-A, but with the Cubs firmly in a rebuilding period, his major league debut should come in 2022.
Hitting: 50. Power: 60. Running: 60. Fielding: 50. Arm: 60.

TRACK RECORD: Davis starred in both baseball and basketball in high school and signed with the Cubs for $1.1 million after they drafted him 62nd overall in 2018. He had a standout first full season at low Class A South Bend, but was limited to 50 games after he was hit by a pitch and fractured his right index finger. He returned healthy in 2020 and spent the year holding his own against older pitchers at the Cubs’ alternate training site.

SCOUTING REPORT: Davis is a long, lean athlete dripping with physical projection. His long levers and growing strength give him plus raw power to his pull side and allow him to drive the ball hard up the middle and the opposite way. Davis crushes breaking balls, but he has had to work hard to get on time against plus velocity and is still progressing. He’s a fast learner who makes quick adjustments and controls the strike zone. Davis is a plus runner underway in the outfield and has a plus arm, but he projects to slow down as he fills out. He may begin his career in center field before eventually moving to right.

THE FUTURE: Davis has all the tools to become an everyday outfielder for the Cubs. He should see the upper minors during the 2021 season.
TRACK RECORD: Davis came to the Cubs a bit raw in terms of his baseball skills after splitting his high school career between the diamond and the basketball court. The athleticism that allowed him to excel on the hardwood also provided Davis with considerable baseball upside. The Cubs spent a secondround pick on him and used a $1.1 million bonus to sign him.

SCOUTING REPORT: Davis was originally slated to start in extended spring training before moving to short-season for the summer. He outplayed expectations, however, and forced the Cubs to push him to low Class A South Bend. Davis performed well in the Midwest League, but his season was disjointed because of a pair of pitches that hit him in nearly the same spot on his right index finger. The second pitch broke the finger and ended his season. Before the injury, the Cubs moved Davis off the plate a bit to allow his long levers a better chance to get extended and create torque against more pitches. He took to the changes quickly, and the result was an excellent first exposure to pitchers outside Rookie-level ball. The Cubs expect Davis to add considerably more strength to his lithe frame, which should add more power.

THE FUTURE: After a tantalizing glimpse of his tools becoming skills in 2019, Davis should get a chance to build on his success in 2020.
Track Record: Davis was a two-sport star in high school and earned defensive player of the year honors for his work on the basketball court. He came to baseball relatively late, which, along with his enviable frame, gives him a large amount of projection. Despite struggles with a hamstring injury, Davis translated enough of his raw talents into skills over the course of his senior year to warrant a second-round pick and a $1.1 million bonus to pry him from a commitment to Miami.

Scouting Report: The Cubs eased Davis into pro ball with the expectation that his talent would gradually show itself. He has a bit of a grooved swing that might prevent him from hitting for a high average, but he has enough loft to combine with his natural strength to produce at least above-average power. Scouts who saw him in the Rookie-level Arizona League believe his speed--which grades out as at least plus--average arm and instincts should help him stay in center field. He has to catch up with other players his age, but his raw tools give him a chance to become an impact player.

The Future: Davis will begin the 2019 season back in extended spring training before heading to either the AZL or the short-season Northwest League, where he'll be tested by advanced pitching.

Draft Prospects

Davis has been a tough one to scout this spring, as he has struggled with a hamstring problem for much of his senior year. He was already more of a projection, having come to baseball late after spending more time playing basketball early in his high school career. Davis was a key contributor when Basha (Chandler, Ariz.) captured the Arizona 6A state championship in his junior year before he started focusing strictly on a baseball career. An above-average or better runner when healthy, the 6-foot-4, 175-pound Davis uses easy, graceful strides in the outfield and on the bases, an his above-average arm gets good carry. The big question with Davis is the development of his bat, as he is still very raw at the plate. He has good, quick hands, but doesn't yet understand how to adjust them to the pitch or leverage his body, resulting in current below-average power. He showed improvement last fall at the WWBA World Championship in Jupiter, Fla., and scouts more recently have noticed more fluidity in his swing. Davis is your typical high-risk, high-reward prospect who would likely require two years of Rookie ball before advancing to a higher minor league level if he signs. He could go as high as the third round, but Davis is an outstanding student who could choose to honor his commitment to Miami if he drops too far in the draft.

Minor League Top Prospects

After abbreviated seasons in 2018 and 2019 and the lost pandemic year of 2020, Davis gave the Cubs a long look this season. He played at three levels and reached Triple-A in September. Hit by pitch that broke his nose in spring training, Davis got a late start at High-A before moving quickly to Tennessee and finishing with a few weeks at Triple-A. The highlight of Davis’ season was hitting two home runs in the Futures Game in Coors Field, including a 428-foot poke to center field that secured him MVP honors. Davis was one of a handful of 21-year-old regulars in Double-A South and did damage when he connected, but he struggled to pick up spin, which led to a strikeout rate near 31%. Davis shows good barrel control and an all-fields approach when he’s going well, and his raw power is plus. Davis plays center field now but profiles more as a corner outfielder for most scouts with average speed and arm strength. Better swing decisions will complete the package.
A basketball star early in his high school career, Davis missed most of his senior baseball season because of a hamstring injury. Thus when the Cubs drafted him in the second round in 2018, he was viewed as a toolsy player who would need two years in Rookie ball before he was ready for the Midwest League. Davis quickly sped up his timetable. He made it to South Bend in late May and proved to be one of the best hitters in his team’s lineup. Despite playing just 50 games—he missed a month with a finger injury— he still finished second on the team with eight home runs. Davis impacts the ball, with the potential to deliver average and power. “I thought he would go to (short-season) Eugene, but he bullied his way to South Bend,” a scout said. “He’s been on fire and exceeding expectations. Davis is not just a free-swinger. He looks like a polished hitter. He’s fine defensively and covers ground.” Davis played center field as often as he played left, and his routes need some work, but his above-average speed and instincts give him a chance to stick in center.

Top 100 Rankings

Best Tools List

Rated Best Defensive Outfielder in the Chicago Cubs in 2020
Rated Best Athlete in the Chicago Cubs in 2020
Rated Best Power Hitter in the Chicago Cubs in 2020
Rated Best Athlete in the Chicago Cubs in 2019
Rated Best Power Hitter in the Chicago Cubs in 2019

Scouting Reports

BA Grade/Risk: 55/High

Track Record: The son of former Chicago Bulls point guard Reggie Theus, Davis primarily played basketball growing up before choosing to focus on baseball his senior year of high school. The decision paid off when the Cubs drafted him in the second round and signed him for $1.1 million. Davis has excelled when healthy, but he's struggled with injuries throughout his career. He missed time with a hamstring injury, a broken finger, a broken nose and a concussion across his first three seasons. Expected to rise to the majors in 2022, he instead played just 43 games at Triple-A Iowa after having midseason surgery to repair a malformation of blood vessels in his back. He then made it through five games in the Arizona Fall League before being shut down with lower back tightness.

Scouting Report: Davis stands a long, lean 6-foot-4 and resembles a basketball player with his build and premium athleticism. He has plus raw power with his natural strength and leverage and does damage to all fields when he connects. He has good barrel control and covers the entire plate. Davis makes plenty of impact on contact, but he struggles to pick up spin and takes a lot of uncertain swings. He often gets caught in between and must improve his pitch recognition and swing decisions to make enough contact to be a fringe-average hitter. Davis is a serviceable defender in center field with his above-average speed and long strides, but he projects better in right field and has the above-average arm for the position. Davis' main challenge is to stay healthy. He has played more than 53 games only once in four professional seasons.

The Future: Davis has the ability to be a solid everyday outfielder, but he has missed a lot of development time. He'll aim to make his big league debut in 2023.

Scouting Grades: Hitting: 45. Power: 55. Speed: 55. Fielding: 50. Arm: 55.
BA Grade/Risk: 55/High

Track Record: The son of former Chicago Bulls point guard Reggie Theus, Davis primarily played basketball growing up before choosing to focus on baseball his senior year of high school. The decision paid off when the Cubs drafted him in the second round and signed him for $1.1 million. Davis has excelled when healthy, but he's struggled with injuries throughout his career. He missed time with a hamstring injury, a broken finger, a broken nose and a concussion across his first three seasons. Expected to rise to the majors in 2022, he instead played just 43 games at Triple-A Iowa after having midseason surgery to repair a malformation of blood vessels in his back. He then made it through five games in the Arizona Fall League before being shut down with lower back tightness.

Scouting Report: Davis stands a long, lean 6-foot-4 and resembles a basketball player with his build and premium athleticism. He has plus raw power with his natural strength and leverage and does damage to all fields when he connects. He has good barrel control and covers the entire plate. Davis makes plenty of impact on contact, but he struggles to pick up spin and takes a lot of uncertain swings. He often gets caught in between and must improve his pitch recognition and swing decisions to make enough contact to be a fringe-average hitter. Davis is a serviceable defender in center field with his above-average speed and long strides, but he projects better in right field and has the above-average arm for the position. Davis' main challenge is to stay healthy. He has played more than 53 games only once in four professional seasons.

The Future: Davis has the ability to be a solid everyday outfielder, but he has missed a lot of development time. He'll aim to make his big league debut in 2023.

Scouting Grades: Hitting: 45. Power: 55. Speed: 55. Fielding: 50. Arm: 55.
BA Grade: 55/High

Track Record: Davis is the son of former NBA point guard Reggie Theus, but his father is not a part of his life. He was raised by his mother Jakki, a former standout long jumper at Washington, on a ranch in Arizona, where he tended to goats, llamas, chickens, horses, cats, dogs and other animals. Davis grew into a multi-sport standout and helped Basha (Chandler, Ariz.) High win the Arizona 6A state basketball championship as a junior while being named his region&#39s defensive player of the year, but he dropped basketball as a senior to focus on baseball full-time. The decision paid off when the Cubs drafted him in the second round and signed him for an above-slot $1.1 million bonus to forgo a Miami commitment. After being limited by a broken finger in his first full season and spending 2020 at the alternate training site, Davis broke out in 2021. He missed the start of the season after he was hit by a pitch in the face during spring training and suffered a broken nose and a concussion, but he still rose from High-A to Triple-A and led Cubs full-season minor leaguers in runs (66), doubles (25) and OPS (.869). He hit two home runs at the Futures Game in Denver and was named MVP.

Scouting Report: Davis is built like a basketball player with his long, lean 6-foot-4 frame. His long arms create excellent leverage in his swing and help him generate plus power to his pull side. He has progressively filled out as he&#39s matured and still has room to get stronger and add more power to his game. Davis&#39 long levers previously made it difficult for him to be on time against fastballs, but he adjusted his swing to be shorter and quicker and now has no trouble catching up to velocity. He turns around both fastballs and breaking balls, covers the entire plate and drives the ball hard to all fields. Davis occasionally expands the strike zone, especially against secondary pitches down and away from lefthanded pitchers, but he generally forces pitchers to throw strikes and projects to be an average hitter as long he maintains his patient approach. Davis is a plus runner who uses his speed more effectively in the outfield than on the basepaths. He effortlessly runs down fly balls in all directions and projects to be an above-average defender in center field. He may slow down as he fills out and move to right field, where his plus arm will fit. Davis is a thoughtful, charitable individual who offered to pay off his mom&#39s house with his signing bonus and donated 40 pairs of cleats to his high school. He continues to care for his pet llamas, Marco and Polo, in the offseason.

The Future: Davis has the talent to be an all-star and the personality to be a fan favorite in Chicago. His major league debut should come in 2022.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 50. Power: 60. Speed: 60. Fielding: 55. Arm: 60.
Track Record: Davis is the son of former NBA point guard Reggie Theus, but his father is not a part of his life. He was raised by his mother Jakki, a former standout long jumper at Washington, on a ranch in Arizona, where he tended to goats, llamas, chickens, horses, cats, dogs and other animals as part of his childhood responsibilities growing up. Davis grew into a multi-sport standout and helped Basha (Chandler, Ariz.) High win the Arizona 6A state basketball championship as a junior while being named his region’s defensive player of the year, but he stopped playing basketball as a senior to focus on baseball full-time. The decision paid off when the Cubs drafted him in the second round and signed him for an above-slot $1.1 million bonus to forgo a Miami commitment. After being limited by a broken finger in his first full season and spending 2020 at the alternate training site, Davis broke out in 2021. He missed the start of the season after he was hit by a pitch in the face during spring training and suffered a broken nose and a concussion, but he still rose from High-A to Triple-A and led all Cubs full-season minor leaguers in runs (66), doubles (25) and OPS (.869). He hit two home runs at the Futures Game in Denver and was named MVP.

Scouting Report: Davis is built like a basketball player with his long, lean 6-foot-4 frame. His long arms create excellent leverage in his swing and help him generate plus power to his pull side. He has progressively filled out as he’s matured and still has room to get stronger and add more power. Davis’ long levers previously made it difficult for him to be on time against fastballs, but he adjusted his swing to be shorter and quicker and now has no trouble catching up to velocity. He turns around both fastballs and breaking balls, covers the entire plate and drives the ball hard to all fields. Davis occasionally expands the strike zone, especially against secondary pitches down and away from lefthanded pitchers, but he generally forces pitchers to throw strikes. He projects to be an average hitter as long he maintains his patient approach and swing adjustments. Davis is a plus runner who uses his speed more effectively in the outfield than on the basepaths. He effortlessly runs down fly balls in all directions and projects to be an above-average defender in center field. He may slow down as he fills out and move to right field, where his plus arm strength will fit. Davis is a thoughtful, charitable individual who offered to pay off his mom’s house with his signing bonus and donated 40 pairs of cleats to his high school. He continues to care for his pet llamas, Marco and Polo, in the offseason.

The Future: Davis has the talent to be an all-star and the personality to be a fan favorite in Chicago. He is likely to begin the 2022 season back at Triple-A, but with the Cubs firmly in a rebuilding period, his major league debut should come in 2022.
After abbreviated seasons in 2018 and 2019 and the lost pandemic year of 2020, Davis gave the Cubs a long look this season. He played at three levels and reached Triple-A in September. Hit by pitch that broke his nose in spring training, Davis got a late start at High-A before moving quickly to Tennessee and finishing with a few weeks at Triple-A. The highlight of Davis’ season was hitting two home runs in the Futures Game in Coors Field, including a 428-foot poke to center field that secured him MVP honors. Davis was one of a handful of 21-year-old regulars in Double-A South and did damage when he connected, but he struggled to pick up spin, which led to a strikeout rate near 31%. Davis shows good barrel control and an all-fields approach when he’s going well, and his raw power is plus. Davis plays center field now but profiles more as a corner outfielder for most scouts with average speed and arm strength. Better swing decisions will complete the package.
Hitting: 50. Power: 60. Running: 60. Fielding: 50. Arm: 60.

TRACK RECORD: Davis starred in both baseball and basketball in high school and signed with the Cubs for $1.1 million after they drafted him 62nd overall in 2018. He had a standout first full season at low Class A South Bend, but was limited to 50 games after he was hit by a pitch and fractured his right index finger. He returned healthy in 2020 and spent the year holding his own against older pitchers at the Cubs' alternate training site.

SCOUTING REPORT: Davis is a long, lean athlete dripping with physical projection. His long levers and growing strength give him plus raw power to his pull side and allow him to drive the ball hard up the middle and the opposite way. Davis crushes breaking balls, but he has had to work hard to get on time against plus velocity and is still progressing. He's a fast learner who makes quick adjustments and controls the strike zone. Davis is a plus runner underway in the outfield and has a plus arm, but he projects to slow down as he fills out. He may begin his career in center field before eventually moving to right.

THE FUTURE: Davis has all the tools to become an everyday outfielder for the Cubs. He should see the upper minors during the 2021 season.
Hitting: 50. Power: 60. Running: 60. Fielding: 50. Arm: 60.

TRACK RECORD: Davis starred in both baseball and basketball in high school and signed with the Cubs for $1.1 million after they drafted him 62nd overall in 2018. He had a standout first full season at low Class A South Bend, but was limited to 50 games after he was hit by a pitch and fractured his right index finger. He returned healthy in 2020 and spent the year holding his own against older pitchers at the Cubs’ alternate training site.

SCOUTING REPORT: Davis is a long, lean athlete dripping with physical projection. His long levers and growing strength give him plus raw power to his pull side and allow him to drive the ball hard up the middle and the opposite way. Davis crushes breaking balls, but he has had to work hard to get on time against plus velocity and is still progressing. He’s a fast learner who makes quick adjustments and controls the strike zone. Davis is a plus runner underway in the outfield and has a plus arm, but he projects to slow down as he fills out. He may begin his career in center field before eventually moving to right.

THE FUTURE: Davis has all the tools to become an everyday outfielder for the Cubs. He should see the upper minors during the 2021 season.
Hitting: 50. Power: 60. Running: 60. Fielding: 50. Arm: 60.

TRACK RECORD: Davis starred in both baseball and basketball in high school and signed with the Cubs for $1.1 million after they drafted him 62nd overall in 2018. He had a standout first full season at low Class A South Bend, but was limited to 50 games after he was hit by a pitch and fractured his right index finger. He returned healthy in 2020 and spent the year holding his own against older pitchers at the Cubs’ alternate training site.

SCOUTING REPORT: Davis is a long, lean athlete dripping with physical projection. His long levers and growing strength give him plus raw power to his pull side and allow him to drive the ball hard up the middle and the opposite way. Davis crushes breaking balls, but he has had to work hard to get on time against plus velocity and is still progressing. He’s a fast learner who makes quick adjustments and controls the strike zone. Davis is a plus runner underway in the outfield and has a plus arm, but he projects to slow down as he fills out. He may begin his career in center field before eventually moving to right.

THE FUTURE: Davis has all the tools to become an everyday outfielder for the Cubs. He should see the upper minors during the 2021 season.
TRACK RECORD: Davis came to the Cubs a bit raw in terms of his baseball skills after splitting his high school career between the diamond and the basketball court. The athleticism that allowed him to excel on the hardwood also provided Davis with considerable baseball upside. The Cubs spent a secondround pick on him and used a $1.1 million bonus to sign him.

SCOUTING REPORT: Davis was originally slated to start in extended spring training before moving to short-season for the summer. He outplayed expectations, however, and forced the Cubs to push him to low Class A South Bend. Davis performed well in the Midwest League, but his season was disjointed because of a pair of pitches that hit him in nearly the same spot on his right index finger. The second pitch broke the finger and ended his season. Before the injury, the Cubs moved Davis off the plate a bit to allow his long levers a better chance to get extended and create torque against more pitches. He took to the changes quickly, and the result was an excellent first exposure to pitchers outside Rookie-level ball. The Cubs expect Davis to add considerably more strength to his lithe frame, which should add more power.

THE FUTURE: After a tantalizing glimpse of his tools becoming skills in 2019, Davis should get a chance to build on his success in 2020.
TRACK RECORD: Davis came to the Cubs a bit raw in terms of his baseball skills after splitting his high school career between the diamond and the basketball court. The athleticism that allowed him to excel on the hardwood also provided Davis with considerable baseball upside. The Cubs spent a secondround pick on him and used a $1.1 million bonus to sign him.

SCOUTING REPORT: Davis was originally slated to start in extended spring training before moving to short-season for the summer. He outplayed expectations, however, and forced the Cubs to push him to low Class A South Bend. Davis performed well in the Midwest League, but his season was disjointed because of a pair of pitches that hit him in nearly the same spot on his right index finger. The second pitch broke the finger and ended his season. Before the injury, the Cubs moved Davis off the plate a bit to allow his long levers a better chance to get extended and create torque against more pitches. He took to the changes quickly, and the result was an excellent first exposure to pitchers outside Rookie-level ball. The Cubs expect Davis to add considerably more strength to his lithe frame, which should add more power.

THE FUTURE: After a tantalizing glimpse of his tools becoming skills in 2019, Davis should get a chance to build on his success in 2020.
A basketball star early in his high school career, Davis missed most of his senior baseball season because of a hamstring injury. Thus when the Cubs drafted him in the second round in 2018, he was viewed as a toolsy player who would need two years in Rookie ball before he was ready for the Midwest League. Davis quickly sped up his timetable. He made it to South Bend in late May and proved to be one of the best hitters in his team’s lineup. Despite playing just 50 games—he missed a month with a finger injury— he still finished second on the team with eight home runs. Davis impacts the ball, with the potential to deliver average and power. “I thought he would go to (short-season) Eugene, but he bullied his way to South Bend,” a scout said. “He’s been on fire and exceeding expectations. Davis is not just a free-swinger. He looks like a polished hitter. He’s fine defensively and covers ground.” Davis played center field as often as he played left, and his routes need some work, but his above-average speed and instincts give him a chance to stick in center.