Pirates Activate Veteran Catcher, Send Former No. 1 Draft Pick to Minors

Exit Davis

Davis, 24, was the Pirates’ No. 1 pick (and first overall) in the 2021 MLB June Amateur Draft out of the University of Louisville. Drafted as a catcher, he was quickly surpassed on the Pirates’ depth chart by fellow minor leaguer Endy Rodrìguez. Davis was hastily converted to an outfielder in the minors last year in anticipation of a promotion. When both were called up in 2023 to boost the Pirates’ offense, it was Rodriguez who was the primary catcher. Davis played right field and caught two innings in the majors in 2023. Davis failed offensively and defensively, hitting just .213/.302/.351. However, his seven home runs gave the Pirates hope for the future.

They’re still waiting for that future to arrive. After crushing four homers in the spring exhibition games, so far in the 2024 regular season, Davis has hit .162/.280/.206 with no home runs. Assuming the regular catching chores with Rodriguez out for the season, Davis has also been subpar defensively. Recently acquired Joey Bart has been seeing most of the action behind the dish since his arrival. When Davis played, he often batted ninth and recently was removed in favor of a pinch hitter late in games. He’s needed a return to triple-A to get more work and regain his confidence. Now that the Pirates have activated Grandal, he’ll have that chance.

Enter Grandal

The decision to sign Grandal to mentor Davis or serve as an insurance policy now looks wise. However, it’s not as though Grandal has played all-star-caliber baseball lately. Over 2022-23 with the Chicago White Sox, he’s hit .219/.305.306, 13 HR, and 60 RBI. He’s reached double digits in home runs seven times in his 12-year career, but not since 2021. Defensively, he was “worth” -8 Fielding Runs Above Average and -11 Defensive Runs Saved in 2023. Even so, he should help the Pirates. In the spring, his teammates were impressed with his knowledge and game-planning ability even when he was injured.

In triple-A, Grandal was 8-for-32 with one home run and 11 RBI. Apart from his offense, it was important to verify that his recovery from plantar fasciitis was complete. Once Grandal was able to participate in consecutive games, that was the green light for him to be activated by the Pirates. The Pirates haven’t discussed their plans for Grandal. Perhaps the switch-hitter will be platooned with the right-handed hitting Bart.

The Last Word

The guess here is that, barring an injury, we won’t see Davis in a Pirates uniform before August. If Davis’s offense and defense pick up in triple-A, Grandal will likely be traded at the deadline. Otherwise, and with all the other major league-ready catchers in the Pirates system on the IL, the Pirates may not have a choice other than to keep Grandal around.