PITTSBURGH – Henry Davis loved his time in Louisville. It’s what helped the hard-hitting catcher become the first overall pick in the amateur draft.
Still, he was eager to move on. So instead of wasting time negotiating with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Davis practically ran to the negotiating table to do something, signing with Pittsburgh on Sunday just a week after baseball commissioner Rob Manfred called him.
“Signing right away is important to me,” Davis said at PNC Park. “I want to start playing. There really is no time to waste. Making the most of it, putting myself to work, I’m very happy with how it went.”
Davis agreed to a $ 6.5 million signing bonus, nearly $ 2 million below the $ 8.4 million cap. The deal frees Pittsburgh to spend money on some of its other 20 picks as the team racks up talent as part of a top-down restart under general manager Ben Cherington.
After meeting Davis before the draft, Cherington was optimistic that the 21-year-old would do everything he could to speed up negotiations.
“Like Henry said, we’re excited, but it’s probably not surprising that we can get in here and do it so quickly,” Cherington said. “We know Henry wants to go out and chase him.”
Davis took a quick tour of Pittsburgh on Saturday, including a stop at the Roberto Clemente Museum, a short drive from PNC Park. He was in the team’s 9-7 win over the New York Mets, a win capped by the receiver’s grand slam. Jacob stallings.
Davis, who hit 15 home runs in 50 games for the Cardinals in 2021, is impressed with one of the most popular parks in the majors. However, it is the constant message he received from Cherington, manager Derek Shelton and other members of the staff that convinced him of the idea of landing in Pittsburgh.
“The stadium was great, but everyone here had the same attitude, working to win,” Davis said. “Talking to them, that’s what really made me want to be a pirate.”
However, it will take time before Davis has a chance to head over to PNC Park for regular work. He will report to the franchise’s training headquarters in Bradenton, Florida, where he will play in the Florida Complex League.
Cherington did not rule out the possibility of Davis moving up to a higher ranking at the end of the summer.
“We are interested in challenging players and we want players who can be challenged,” said Cherington. “If we feel there is an opportunity to challenge a player, including Henry and anyone else, we will look for that opportunity. We want the guys not to be overwhelmed but challenged and there is certainly playing time this summer and the rest of the season to see. how’s it going”.
Davis wasn’t shy when asked if he had set specific goals to achieve over the next two months.
“One … is just being the best leader that I can be and helping my teammates in whatever way I can once I get to Bradenton,” Davis said. “Helping guys improve. When we work together, it’s better for everyone.”
Davis met some of the other college-age draft picks on the team and had a brief trade with the All-Star second baseman. Adam Frazier when the two were in Denver for the All-Star Game last week. Frazier is likely leaving town with the trade deadline looming at the end of the month.
Davis’ journey is just beginning.
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