Could this be a time where Henry Davis could help

PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Whether you are looking to use him as a trade chip or thinking he could impact your lineup in the last two months and beyond, Henry Davis is currently tearing up AAA.

The 2021 first-round pick not only dealt with inconsistencies, but a concussion that has turned his season from starting MLB catcher to speculation if Davis even has a future with the Pirates.

A first-round pick himself, catcher Joey Bart had the biggest pinch-hit of the season on Sunday. The 27-year-old is hitting .245, .339 on-base percentage, .794 OPS with 11 extra base hits and 22 RBI in 110 at bats. Compare that to Davis’ numbers in MLB in 2024, .153/.267/.502 with five extra base hits and five RBI in 85 at bats.

The Pirates also have switch-hitting catching prospect Endy Rodriguez coming back from injury and he’s starting to hit from sides of the plate and could get some minor league game action before the season ends.

That leaves Davis potentially locked out at catcher again. He never looked comfortable in right field and the Pirates have never practiced him at first base. There is the potential for him to be a designated hitter, but it won’t be this year (Andrew McCutchen is the everyday DH).

Whatever that future is, Davis is having a huge July in AAA. Since returning from concussion protocols on July 4, Davis has hits in every game but two and is currently on a nine-game hitting streak. Over the weekend he had seven hits in 13 at bats with three doubles and a home run driving in five runs.

Overall in July with Indianapolis, the right-handed hitter has a .345 average with five doubles, three home runs and 13 RBI. Davis’ OPS against left-handed pitchers in AAA is 1.143.

If the Pirates do nothing or little before the trade deadline, maybe Davis, if you could figure out a position for him to play , could do what the Pirates 2020 first-round pick Nick Gonzales did in May, come up and provide an offensive spark. Someone needs to.