The wait for Henry Davis is over.
The 2021 No. 1 overall draft pick and Pirates' No. 2 prospect is heading to Pittsburgh, per source.
Davis, 23, was promoted to Class AAA Indianapolis just two weeks ago and didn't skip a beat offensively, hitting .286 with a .946 OPS in his 10 games played.
The Pirates placed him in Class AA Altoona to start the year for him to get more consistent reps as a catcher so he can develop behind the plate, something that has appeared to have happened. Defense was often cited as the reason why the game's No. 35 prospect -- according to Baseball America's most recent update -- was still in Altoona for most of the season. It would be hard to claim it was for his offense, as he hit .284 with a .980 OPS, 10 home runs and 27 RBIs in 187 plate appearances.
A fractured wrist limited his availability in 2022, potentially pushing his debut back a bit, but his advanced bat and a strong showing at the Arizona Fall League last year kept him on pace for a promotion this year, something he was very confident was going to happen.
“I hope that’s soon," Davis told me in Scottsdale, Ariz. last fall. "It’s what I'm working for every day.”
He has gotten more reps in right field of late, especially since his promotion to Indianapolis, to help get his bat in the lineup more often.
In the majors, the Pirates certainly could use some help offensively at Davis' two positions. Entering Sunday, Pirate catchers ranked 27th in terms of OPS (.589), and their right fielders rank 20th (.731). Austin Hedges and Jason Delay have primarily split catching duties -- both of whom provide quality defense but are limited at the plate -- and while Davis' positional flexibility didn't guarantee a change in their catching personnel, it will surely change the division of labor at that position.
Derek Shelton confirmed after Sunday's loss to the Brewers that both Hedges and Delay will remain on the active roster, and that Davis will be used in "different ways."
"I'm excited," Shelton said. He deserves to be here. He's shown that."
The Pirates will need to select Davis' contract and add him to the 40 man roster, which became full when the Pirates added left-handed reliever Ryan Borucki Sunday.
More articles and analysis on Davis will be coming to DK Pittsburgh Sports.