The Pittsburgh Pirates have seen one of their top prospects on the sidelines injured for the bulk of the season. It looks like he will be returning to game action.
It has been a disappointing year for the Pittsburgh Pirates last 2 first-round selections. Both Nick Gonzales and Henry Davis have spent significant time on the Injured List this season. Gonzales returned to action at Double-A last week.
Davis, who made it to Double-A this year as well, has spent time on the Injured list twice this year. Both times have been due to an injury to his wrist. The injury occurred in mid-May which kept him out until June. He saw the injury return in early July and he has been on the injured list since.
Well, it looks like Davis will have a chance to return to game action this season. According to Justice delos Santos, Davis will be returning to action with High-A Bradenton. The MLB.com Pittsburgh Pirates beat writer tweeted:
Obviously, this is really good news for the team and for Henry Davis. The Pittsburgh Pirates were bold to use the first overall selection in 2021 on him. He was considered to be one of the top college bats in the Draft, but not necessarily the top prospect in the Draft. The Bucs were able to cut a deal with him, and so far when he has played, Davis has performed.
The former Lousiville Cardinal has a career batting average of .268. That may not blow you away, but his on-base percentage is nearly .400 and his slugging percentage is well over .500. The guy has power and a good feel for the strike zone.
The issue that has plagued Davis has been his unique ability to get on base. Davis has been plunked by a lot of pitches this year, one causing his wrist injury in May. He has taken a base via hit-by-pitch 17 times in just 41 games. While it is great to see him getting on-base, the team needs him to stay healthy as well. They want him to be a future power hitter for the Pittsburgh Pirates, he needs to stay healthy and develop to do so.