Scouting Report - Mack's Mock Draft Pick - 1.14 - C - Henry Davis

 

Henry Davis

Mack's spin - 

My second early on favorite Mets pick.

Davis will be the second catcher to come off the board after Adrian del Castillo.

All the critics agree that Davis is a ++ defensive catcher with a 70 arm. What they want to see is a full season of the stat line he began to put up last season before it became to an abrupt start.

Could go in the top 10.

 

C    6-2    195 Louisville

 

1-26-21 - BA -

 

19. Henry Davis, C, Louisville

 

Areas To Improve: Prove offense over a full season

 

Davis has game-changing arm strength behind the plate and a strong defensive foundation to build on in pro ball, but scouts are still a bit skeptical of his bat. He did hit .372/.481/.698 in a short, 14-game sample last spring, but evaluators want him to prove his offensive profile over a full season this year. If he does that, he’ll fly off the board. Davis has solid bat-to-ball skills and controls the zone well, but it’s a rigid and shouldery swing at times that scouts are a bit skeptical of moving forward. 

 

1-22-21 - fish stripes

 

C Henry Davis, Louisville

 

19th-ranked draft prospect on Baseball America, 26th on MLB Pipeline, 13th on Prospects Live

 

NCAA Baseball: College World Series-Louisville vs Vanderbilt

Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports

The catcher position is one of the weakest position if not the weakest in the Marlins farm system. Jorge Alfaro is coming off a really rough season and the only possibly starting-quality catching prospect in their pipeline is Will Banfield. The Marlins need to add a catcher in the 2021 draft and might use their first pick.

 

Miami catcher Adrian Del Castillo is not expected to be available at pick #16 so the Marlins could get another ACC catcher. Third-year catcher out of Louisville Henry Davis could be their best option.

 

Davis had a productive career in his two seasons at Louisville. He’s career slash line is .303/.381/.463 and also has a career .844 OPS. His power numbers improved during the shortened 2020 season could be a 20-homer hitter at the big league level.

 

Davis’ best tool is his arm strength. Davis probably has the strongest arm out of all of the catchers in the 2021 MLB Draft. MLB Pipeline has his arm graded as a 70 which is pretty elite company. Some scouts have compared him to former Ohio State catcher and 2020 second round pick Dillon Dingler.

 

 

1-20-21 - D1 Baseball's top 100 College Prospects -

 

8 Henry Davis C H Louisville ACC 

 

 

1-20-21 - prospect live -

 

#12

Seattle Mariners

 

Henry Davis

C, Louisville

 

Everything about Henry Davis fits what Jerry Dipoto and the Mariners seek in an acquisition. Seattle weighs the ability to control the zone heavily in scouting and evaluation, something Davis does better than just about anyone in the class (22 strikeouts and 21 walks in 200 plate appearances at Louisville). One of the most physical players in the entire class, Davis is a bit of a gym rat and it shows in his batted ball data. His max exit velo of 110 mph ranks among the best in all of college baseball entering 2021. Behind the plate, there's above average athleticism and a 70-grade arm that will play immediately in pro ball. Some scouts have concerns over a flat, stiff swing, though that is something Davis has placed an emphasis on this winter. He's a leader in the clubhouse and is a quintessential ballplayer who draws high marks for his attitude and desire to be great. 

 

1-14-21  -  Baseball America

 

Henry Davis

 

Louisville C

 

Ht: 6-2 | Wt: 195 | B-T: R-R

Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted

Age At Draft: 21.8

 

Davis was one of the hardest-throwing catchers in the 2018 draft class as a high schooler, with a 70-grade canon for an arm, but questions about his offensive game allowed him to make it to campus at Louisville. He acquitted himself well as a freshman, hitting .280/.345/.386 with 13 walks and 18 strikeouts and was off to an even better start in 2020. Through 14 games Davis hit as many home runs (three) as he did through 45 games during his freshman season. If scouts continue to feel comfortable with Davis’ bat during the 2021 season he could find himself going on the first day of the draft, as he controls the zone well, brings some pop to the pull-side and has gotten more fluid in his actions at the plate. Defensively, Davis’ arm jumps off the page, and he’s an athletic and efficient thrower, though he struggled with his blocking initially. Davis had seven passed balls in 2019 and six in 2020, though coaches praise his work ethic and believe he’s improved in that area of his game. MLB teams love athletic collegiate catchers with a track record of hitting and as a .303/.381/.463 career hitter with one explosive tool in his arm strength, he’ll get plenty of attention next spring.

  

12-26-20  -  Baseball Prospect Journal Mock Draft 1.0 -

 

12. Seattle Mariners: Henry Davis, C, Louisville

 

Davis is a complete player. His best trait is his above-average arm strength that is accurate and has allowed him to throw out 34% of base stealers in his first two years at Louisville. He has all the traits to stick at catcher long-term. Offensively, Davis has strong plate discipline and the raw power to make an impact as a right-handed hitter.

 

 

12-25-20 - https://medium.com/minor-league-madhouse/2021-mlb-mock-draft-3

 

Miami Marlins

 

Whether you believe the Marlins lucked into a postseason spot or Derek Jeter’s retooling of the Marlins is legit, you have to admire the Marlins, who have seemingly turned around the team’s reputation as a poorly run franchise. They can add onto an already strong farm season by going after the deep catching crop. While Adrian Del Castillo is the best offensive catcher, Henry Davis is arguably the best arm. Armed with a hose, Henry also calls a great game, and his technique is advanced. Where he falters is his receiving skills (6 passed balls in 2020). Davis is also a capable 5–7 hitter in the lineup, and will provide protection with at least average contact and power. Coming from Louisville, Davis will have plenty of eyes on him and his teammate Alex Binelas. 

 

 

12-24-20 - Joe  @JoeDoyleMiLB -

 

Joey Bart 2017: .296/.370/.575 -- 13 HR -- 24% K-Rate -- 109.8 peak EV

 

Joey Bart 2018: .359/.471/.632 -- 16 HR -- 20.5% K-Rate -- 110.8 peak EV

 

Henry Davis 2020 *pace*: .372/.481/.698 -- 12.5 HR -- 7.6% K-Rate -- 109.7 peak EV 

 

 

12-18-20 - Future Sox Mock Draft -

 

12. Seattle Mariners: Henry Davis, C, Louisville

 

Seattle’s draft model loves college hitters and while they don’t get Alex Binelas here, they will settle for his teammate. Davis has a plus-plus arm behind the plate and should stay at catcher. He makes contact at the dish and handles the zone well and could hit 20 homers annually at a premium position.

 

 

12-3-20  -  Perfect Game combined their picks for the first two rounds in this mock draft  -

 

28. Tampa Bay Rays | Henry Davis, C, Louisville | (2/57) Brock Selvidge, LHP, Hamilton HS

 

Davis will bring a solid defensive skill set behind the plate with a proven ability to handle elite level pitching as he did at Louisville. Offensively he has shown an above average hit tool with solid bat speed and twitch in the hands from the right side. Selvidge has a projectable arsenal headed by a low-90s fastball with above average spin that will continue to see upticks in velocity as there will be no rush to push him through the ranks. The three-pitch mix is rounded out by a tight tilting slider and a changeup that he has shown the ability to turn over nicely. -Colt Olinger

 

Cervino’s Take: College catchers always tend to rise up boards as the draft gets underway and Louisville’s Henry Davis is one of the best in the draft. The Rays also like to hone in on particular prep arms and let their player development work as Brock Selvidge would be a pretty significant boon for that staff. The safety of a standout defender like Davis and the volatility of a prep arm make for a well-balanced first two picks for the defending AL champs. 

 

11-24-20 - Prospects Worldwide Mock Draft -

 

9.  C Henry Davis

 

School: Louisville | B / T: R / R | Ht: 6’2 | Wt: 195lbs | Age: 21.8

 

Davis comes in as the Top Catcher in the class (not counting Adrian Del Castillo and his unlikeliness to stick there). Extremely athletic behind the plate and a Plus (60) Defender. A Plus-plus strong, accurate Arm (70), quick out of the squat, receiving is improving, blocking shows well and with reps will continue to show the capability to stick behind the dish long-term.

 

A Flatish bat path, with an open stance, wide base, and really covers the outside edge very well at the plate. A lifetime .303/.381/.463 hitter at Louisville, not counting the short 15 AB stint on the Cape in 2019. With a (50) Hit tool to go with a strong 22:21 K:BB Ratio. Not a ton of Power (40) in the bat here, potential for 10-13 HR per season on avg. Some loft built into the swing could help tap into a bit more power. There’s a strong floor here with Davis and a chance to become one of the better all around catchers in baseball with a bit of a boost to the offensive game.

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