Chris Davis at one point in time was an untouchable prospect that was seen as a true power hitting first baseman. After his season in 2008 with the Rangers, he looked like a .300/.350/.550 type hitter. Some rough times over the last few years have caused his stock to drop, but he continued to hit well in the minors. Is he a 4A player?
Davis has a very powerful and controlled violent swing with solid hip/torso and weight transfer that generates a great deal of torque. He shows solid bat speed, but tends to get caught out in front too much. He must show better plate discipline and control his approach to off-speed pitches to be an effective hitter long term.
At the age of 25, he still has a small bit of room for improvement and a fresh approach is all he may need. A new lease on life with some improvements in the K/BB ratio and he can be a solid everyday first baseman.
He still shows the 30+ home run potential and maybe a new team will make him a slightly above-average contact hitter in the .270-.280 range.
Davis profiles as a solid first baseman that will make the routine plays a first. He will not bring a wow factor, but is more than adequate with the range and glove to settle in as major league average. I think the transition to 3B or another position downgrades his ability to be an everyday player.
Read about the other player the O’s received in the trade: Tommy Hunter
