Body: Slider, small frame with an athletic structure and slight muscular build, slightly longer legs helps him pitch taller.
Fastball
His 4S fastball sits 87-90 mph, and will touch 91 on occasions. Shows the ability to at least maintain mid range velocity into the third turn of the order. Throws a heavy fastball and shows some sneak up ability to it.
His 2S fastball has some good late lateral movement, and is mainly 86-87 mph. It mostly runs late tailing away, but he did throw a cutter/sinker blend that rode glove side. The pitch is really difficult to pick up off the change up and makes it very difficult to square up.
Grade 4S: 4.5 (5/5.5)
Grade 2S: 5.5 (6)
Curveball
Davie’s curveball has solid spin and quality depth, showing best in 71-73 mph range. The Peterson program has de-emphasized this offering and he does not throw this pitch often, and is more of a close out pitch.
He needs to find a consistent spin, partially due to the focus of the change up in early development. This pitch was a quality breaking ball in high school, and he has that flash plus pitch in his pocket. His curveball is a point of emphasis on improvement, but is a quality pitch at this stage of development.
Grade: 5 (5.5)
Changeup
He has greatly focused on improving this pitch and it easily flashes plus. He lives off a circle change and with more consistency, it has true swing/miss potential. It has two way action, more lateral than horizontal, and sits 76-78 mph. It runs well off the 2S fastball and the action makes it a great one-two combo.
Grade: 5.5 (6)
Command
All of Davies pitches play up because he has great command and a solid ability to spot the curve, change up, and fastball at any location and against all hitters. He is a smaller pitcher with less moving parts and smaller anchors, so command should be easier to improve upon than your typical pitcher. There were times that it was pinpoint on the change up and 2S fastball. If the curve can play up to that level all of the time, he could push plus-plus ability.
Grade: 5.5
Control
He has the ability to control the zone. He is a strike thrower that moves up and down and left and right. Since he can spot it, he does a very good job of stretching the strike zone. Both his command and control are outstanding in the early frames, but drop a notch as he reaches his innings limit. Because of his size, youth, and moving from the bullpen into a starters role mid-season, he should gain additional strength and size, making it very possible that both grades reach at least plus ability.
Grade: 5.5
Mechanics
Overall Davies has a clean delivery. He has a sneaky delayed opening with a short arc back load that provides some deception, even though his arm tends to be exposed a bit in the downward arc and loading phase.
His stride is a ever so slightly inconsistent from the wind up delivery, as his tempo can get a little rushed, pushing his release point down a bit. His stretch was much more compact and overall quiet with very consistent tendencies. He gets a good push for his size and tends to show a delivery with slight hip bend.
His size allows him to stand a bit taller and still get the weight over the front foot. He has a soft knee bend and a good follow through that could still use a bit of work, as with all pitchers this is usually the last thing that becomes a consistent trait to a solid foundation. Very efficient, loose delivery that was a bit rushed on occasions, but overall heading in a good direction.
Overall
Davies’ pitch-ability is off the charts at his stage of development and adding that consistent change up gives him a solid chance to sit in the back of a rotation. He mixes his pitches well and will pull the string in all counts. He keeps hitters honest and on edge.
He made some solid Rangers prospects look foolish in the box and they had no idea of what he was throwing. His game is completely tied to the ability to pack on a bit of muscle and gain additional overall strength, especially in the hips and legs.
He has “it”, a clear idea to attack hitters, that will only improve with experience. He has major league quality movement on three pitches and a slider/cutter in his back pocket. He could find an extra gear sitting 180-185 pounds, plus that gear might hit a higher stamina threshold. He will never be a power pitcher, but if he can find that 2S pushing 90 mph, the sky is the limit.
Ceiling: 4/5 starter
Floor: middle relief, swing player
Likely Role: long relief, spot starter
Comparisons: Shaun Marcum
