Top Draft Pick Henry Davis Makes Understated MLB Debut With Pirates

One of Henry Davis’ best attributes, in the eyes of the Pittsburgh Pirates, is his steadiness.

Despite being 23 years old, Davis rarely gets excited. He is such an even-keeled person at just a young age that one almost wonders if he even has a pulse.

Davis had reason to get excited Monday night when he made his major-league debut with the Pirates less than two years after they selected him with the first overall pick in the 2021 amateur draft from the University of Louisville.

He particularly could have been thrilled with the result of his first plate appearance in the third inning when he pulled a double down the left-field line off Chicago Cubs veteran left-hander Drew Smyly.

The Pirates wound up getting shut out by the Cubs 8-0 at PNC Park and had their losing streak extended to seven games. Since their stunning 20-8 start to the season, the Pirates have gone just 14-29 and it seems like the clock is ticking toward midnight on their Cinderella story after finishing last in the National League Central for four straight seasons.

Though Davis wound up going 1 for 3 with a walk, his performance gave the Pirates reason to get excited.

“He did a good job,” manager Derek Shelton said.

Yet one person who wasn’t excited was Davis.

Surely, in his own way, he was thrilled to reach the goal of playing in the major leagues that he set for himself when he was a 5-year-old attending his first big-league game. However, when asked about his emotions of stepping on a major-league field for the first time, he said “It was great. I just wish we had won.”

Davis was asked a total of 13 questions by reporters following the game. His longest answer was just 38 words.

It wasn’t that Davis seemed intimidated by a dozen media members surrounding him at his locker. It also didn’t seem to be a case of him mistrusting the media as he was polite and friendly.

Mainly, it was a sign of a player who means business. That 38-word answer sums up why the Pirates consider Davis to have the proverbial slow heartbeat.

Davis was asked how he was able to stay calm enough take three straight pitches in his first career plate appearance.

“I felt pretty comfortable,” Davis said. “I worked really hard for this. I really trust my approach, whether it’s spring training or whatever level in the big leagues. Just try and have a good at-bat and help the team win.”

Winning and improving truly seem to be Davis’ top concerns.

That should bode well for the Pirates. The Pirates believe he can be an integral part of their future, which is why they drafted him No. 1 and signed him to a $5.5-million bonus in hope that he might someday spark them to their first World Series title since 1979.

One big question surrounding Davis, though, is his eventual position.

He was drafted as a catcher and played most of his games there in three minor-league seasons. However, he played right field on Monday night and the Pirates plan to keep at No. 3 on their catching depth chart behind Austin Hedges and Jason Delay.

“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.”

For his part, Davis is just happy to be in the major leagues, even if he isn’t wearing that emotion on his sleeve. He was understated – of course – when asked about his position.

“If I can help the Pirates win in right, I’m excited about it,” he said.