Henry Davis is officially a Pirate.
On Sunday morning, the Pirates formally announced that they had signed their first overall draft pick. Per a source, the Louisville catcher will make $6.5 million this season.
"I couldn't be more excited," Davis said. "Getting signed right away. It's important to me. I want to get playing. There's no time to waste really."
Davis was introduced with a No. 1 jersey with his name and took batting practice on the field with Pirate outfielders Ka'ai Tom and Jared Oliva.
Four BP swings from Henry Davis. Three homers. pic.twitter.com/4OokdJrFWV
— Alex Stumpf (@AlexJStumpf) July 18, 2021
"What was really important to us was two things," Ben Cherington said. "No. 1 we want to find the best player in the country and No. 2 we also want to find the right person that we could work together with to help us build a winning team in Pittsburgh. And we feel very excited and honored and confident we found that person in Henry Davis. Excited to introduce Henry today."
Davis will report to the Florida Complex League in Bradenton, Fla., like all of the draft picks the Pirates sign. Davis said it's a goal of his to play in a minor-league game before the season concludes in early September.
Cherington was less comital, but did not rule out the idea.
"My answer would be the same as it is for every player: We’re interested in challenging players and we want players that can be challenged," Cherington said. "If we feel like there’s an opportunity to challenge a player, including Henry and anyone else, we’ll look for that opportunity. We want guys to be not overwhelmed but challenged and there’s certainly playing time this summer and the rest of the season to see how it goes.”
Davis is a goal-oriented person, and he's got a couple in mind going into his first year of pro ball.
"One of the goals I have right now is just be the best leader I can be and help my teammates any way I can once I get down to Bradenton," Davis said. "Help guys get better, when we work together, it's best for everybody."
So far, Davis has met the other Pirates draft picks who have signed and Adam Frazier at the All-Star game in Denver. He also met some staff at a workout at PNC Park ahead of the draft.
“I think what stood out to me the most was the people," Davis said. "The ballpark was great but everybody here had the same attitude, working towards winning. Talking with them, that’s what really made me want to be a Pirate.”
The top overall draft pick carries a slot value of $8,415,300, freeing up nearly $2 million to spend elsewhere in this class.