The Pittsburgh Pirates are calling up catcher/outfielder Henry Davis on Saturday, sources tell MLB.com's Alex Stumpf. Davis, the first overall pick back in 2021, had a strong spring and was hitting .286 with three doubles in eight games played at Triple-A Indianapolis to begin the season. There's no word on a corresponding move, but catcher Joey Bart (back) did leave Friday's series opener against the Cincinnati Reds with lower-back discomfort, so it's possible he will land on the injured list. If Davis does go on the IL this weekend, Davis and Endy Rodriguez will be options for Pittsburgh at catcher going forward. The 25-year-old Davis got off to a nice start offensively in the minors this year, but the Louisville product hasn't been able to put it all together yet at the major-league level in 99 games the last two years, slashing .191/.283/.307 with a .590 OPS, eight home runs, 29 RBI and 114 strikeouts in 377 plate appearances.
Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Henry Davis is projected to be the team's No. 2 backstop on the Opening Day roster. Davis is a former top prospect but has yet to take the next step in the major leagues. He was selected with the first overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft. He made his MLB debut in 2023 and held a modest .214/.302/.351 line across 62 games. Then, in 2024, Davis appeared in just 37 games in Pittsburgh and had a lower .144/.242/.212 slash line. However, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com noted that given Davis' strong play in spring training, he has put himself above Endy Rodriguez and Jason Delay. During camp, Davis has held a strong .286/.348/.524 slash line with two doubles and one home run. The Louisville product has also seen time in the outfield which will provide the team with additional defensive flexibility. Fantasy managers in deeper two-catcher formats should monitor Davis' progression as he could be worth a late-round flier if he continues to produce in spring training.
According to Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pirates catcher Henry Davis (hand) was seen taking live batting practice on Thursday. The 25-year-old finished the 2024 season on the injured list with left hand inflation. However, seeing him take live BP just two days into camp is a great sign and suggests he should be a full-go for spring training. After posting a modest .213/.302/.351 line during his rookie campaign in 2023, Davis took another step back in 2024 as he posted a lower .144/.242/.212 slash line across 37 games. He tallied just four doubles and one home run. While he showed a strong eye at the plate with a 10.7 percent walk rate, he generated a weak .156 xBA. Given his struggles in the MLB, Davis will likely be competing for a spot on the Opening Day roster during spring training alongside Endy Rodriguez.
Joey Bart Goes On Injured List, Henry Davis Coming Back Up
The Pittsburgh Pirates have recalled catcher and former No. 1 overall pick Henry Davis from Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday, according to sources. In a corresponding move, catcher Joey Bart (hamstring) will be placed on the 10-day injured list. A left-hamstring injury that Bart suffered on Sunday against the division-rival Cincinnati Reds will now force him to the shelf for at least 10 days. The 27-year-old former San Francisco Giants catcher has been Pittsburgh's most fantasy relevant catcher in 2024 with a .272 average (53-for-195), 12 home runs, 39 RBI and 32 runs scored. For however long Bart is sidelined, Davis and Yasmani Grandal figure to split the catching duties. In his time at Indy, Davis hit .301 with six homers, 26 RBI and seven steals. He could be worth a pickup in deeper fantasy leagues if he sees enough playing time, but he has yet to put it together at the big-league level.
Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Henry Davis (concussion) has been activated off the 7-day concussion injured list on Sunday. The Pirates have optioned him back to Triple-A Indianapolis where he will continue his rehab assignment. The assumption is that the former first-round pick will be back in Pittsburgh at some point this season. Davis was struggling before the injury, so fantasy managers in redraft leagues don't have much incentive to hold him right now.
Pittsburgh Pirates catcher/outfielder Henry Davis (concussion) had his minor-league rehab assignment with Double-A Altoona paused on Sunday. Davis didn't suffer another concussion but experienced reoccurring symptoms from his concussion. The 24-year-old former first-rounder went on the seven-day concussion injured list on June 15 and is now unlikely to return to the major-league roster until after the All-Star break in mid-July. He appeared in just two rehab games for the Curve before being shut down with reoccurring concussion symptoms, which obviously isn't a good sign. For now, the Pirates will continue on with Joey Bart and veteran Yasmani Grandal splitting the catching duties. Davis has so far been a bust in his 91 major-league games, hitting .197 (61-for-310) with eight homers, 29 RBI and 109 K's in 357 plate appearances.
Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Henry Davis (concussion) was removed from Friday night's game against the hosting Colorado Rockies due to concussion-like symptoms. Davis is currently being examined by Pittsburgh's medical staff, and veteran Yasmani Grandal replaced him behind the plate after Davis went 0-for-2 on Friday. The 24-year-old former No. 1 overall just hasn't been able to put it together this season and is watching his stock swiftly decline, slashing a frigid .153/.267/.235 with one home run and five RBI through 102 plate appearances for the Pirates. Consider him day-to-day until more is known ahead of Saturday's clash with Colorado. Grandal would get all the action he could handle as the backstop for any time Davis needs to miss, but the switch-hitter has gone just 14-for-85 (.165) in 27 outings and wouldn't be a viable option in two-catcher leagues.
Pirates To Call Up Henry Davis From Triple-A On Tuesday
The Pittsburgh Pirates will call up catcher/outfielder Henry Davis from Triple-A Indianapolis ahead of the team's Tuesday series opener against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Pirates sent Davis to Triple-A Indianapolis on May 3 after he hit .162/.280/.206 and failed to homer in 83 at-bats. However, Davis has hit seven homers with a 1.078 OPS since being optioned, with Indianapolis manager Derek Shelton adding that Davis has been making progress with his mechanics. Davis' power potential makes him an enticing waiver wire player in leagues where he is available.
Pittsburgh Pirates backstop Henry Davis has been on an impressive run at Triple-A over the past week. Since May 16, the former number-one overall pick has tallied at least one hit in every game and posted an incredible .464/559/.1.250 line with six long balls and one stolen base. Davis struggled in the majors the past two seasons with an overall .201/.297/.317 slash line and just seven home runs across 85 games. However, he was once considered a top prospect and should be given another opportunity in the Steel City later this summer. He should remain rostered in dynasty and keeper leagues as he is still seen as the backstop of the future in Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh Pirates catcher/outfield prospect Henry Davis has struggled since his demotion to Triple-A Indianapolis last week. The former Number one overall pick opened the year with the big-league club, but struggled with a .162 batting average and four RBI in 68 at-bats before veteran Yasmani Grandal returned from the injured list and took away his job. Since being sent back down, Davis is 3-for-19 with two runs and two RBI. Davis was picked number one overall for a reason and still has a bright future ahead of him, but he will need to turn things around in Triple-A to get another chance with the big-league club. Although managers in redraft leagues should have already cut ties, Davis still has value in dynasty leagues.
Henry Davis
• C
•
Pirates
