Toy Cannon
02-27-2006, 11:52 AM
Thought I'd post this so some of the folks who aren't as up on the Pirates farm hands as you Pirate fans are, could check it out. Hope you don't mind.
http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/app/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060226&content_id=43696&vkey=news_milb&fext=.jsp
BRADENTON, Fla. -- Rajai Davis leaned against the wall in the clubhouse at Pirate City and talked about his past and his future, quietly and calmly, in a voice that at times was barely above a whisper.
A thoughtful and introspective young man, Davis' demeanor belies the explosive nature of his game on the field. The 25-year-old can run, man can he run, stealing 179 bases in 472 games as a Pirates farmhand over the last five seasons. His speed has gotten him noticed and likely will be his ticket to the Major Leagues.
Davis stole 45 bases last season for Double-A Altoona, a franchise record. He led the Carolina League in steals (57) and batting (.314) while playing for Lynchburg. He knows how to scrap and he certainly takes advantage of his quickness, using a small-ball mentality to get on base. His speed also helps him in center field, tracking down balls many players wouldn't reach.
But there would appear to be more than just a slight obstacle preventing Davis from patrolling center field in Pittsburgh within the next year or so. His name is Chris Duffy, a player cut from the same cloth. He steals bases, though not as frequently, and is a bit better defensively. So what's a speedster to do?
One National League executive who watched both players several times last season offered this on the lifetime .308 hitter.
"Davis played extremely well the times I saw him," the exec said. "He needs to work on his on-base percentage a bit to become a legitimate leadoff hitter, but he's a nice package as a center fielder. From what I hear, they (the Pirates) have a split opinion about him in the organization, but I think he has a chance to be an everyday guy.
"He's a little different. He gets away with a lot of things because of his athletic ability. His instincts aren't that refined, but I think he has enough to play every day. And I think at some point he'll have enough to challenge Duffy. It's just a matter of what Duffy ends up becoming. If last year was any indication, Davis may have a hard time taking away that center field job. So a lot hinges on what Duffy does."
Davis doesn't seem to get caught up in the "what-if" game, either. He's got strong religious convictions and is confident they will help guide him, that his belief in God is the best remedy for whatever ails him on the field.
"The last couple of months, I started to realize who I am as a person, as an individual and as a player," said Davis, who hit .281 with 76 strikeouts and 46 walks last season. "For me, getting close to God triggered that. The Lord is going to work it out with me. So where I am April 3 or April 4 or April 5, everyone will see the manifestations of what I believe. I really rely on God, he works out everything for me. I'm convinced of that."
Davis said he also benefited from playing last season in Altoona, where he was one of the younger players on the roster. Ever respectful and willing to learn, he said sitting back, observing and ultimately asking questions proved to be one of the best things he's done as a pro.
"I'm usually able to blend in with the older players," said Davis, who grew up idolizing former Cincinnati great Barry Larkin, admiring the fact that he spent his entire career with one organization. "They have more knowledge and experience, so you pick their brains and see what works bets for them. I learned about respect for the game and got to play with the older players, which helped me understand the game better."
If he does make it to the Major Leagues, Davis likely will get as many questions about his name as he will his abilities. Rajai (pronounced Rahj-ay) means king in Sanskrit. He said his mom, Diane, picked out the name.
"Every name has a meaning and a purpose behind that meaning," he said. "Once you find out what your name is, you know who you are and are reminded of it when they call you by that name."
http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/app/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060226&content_id=43696&vkey=news_milb&fext=.jsp
BRADENTON, Fla. -- Rajai Davis leaned against the wall in the clubhouse at Pirate City and talked about his past and his future, quietly and calmly, in a voice that at times was barely above a whisper.
A thoughtful and introspective young man, Davis' demeanor belies the explosive nature of his game on the field. The 25-year-old can run, man can he run, stealing 179 bases in 472 games as a Pirates farmhand over the last five seasons. His speed has gotten him noticed and likely will be his ticket to the Major Leagues.
Davis stole 45 bases last season for Double-A Altoona, a franchise record. He led the Carolina League in steals (57) and batting (.314) while playing for Lynchburg. He knows how to scrap and he certainly takes advantage of his quickness, using a small-ball mentality to get on base. His speed also helps him in center field, tracking down balls many players wouldn't reach.
But there would appear to be more than just a slight obstacle preventing Davis from patrolling center field in Pittsburgh within the next year or so. His name is Chris Duffy, a player cut from the same cloth. He steals bases, though not as frequently, and is a bit better defensively. So what's a speedster to do?
One National League executive who watched both players several times last season offered this on the lifetime .308 hitter.
"Davis played extremely well the times I saw him," the exec said. "He needs to work on his on-base percentage a bit to become a legitimate leadoff hitter, but he's a nice package as a center fielder. From what I hear, they (the Pirates) have a split opinion about him in the organization, but I think he has a chance to be an everyday guy.
"He's a little different. He gets away with a lot of things because of his athletic ability. His instincts aren't that refined, but I think he has enough to play every day. And I think at some point he'll have enough to challenge Duffy. It's just a matter of what Duffy ends up becoming. If last year was any indication, Davis may have a hard time taking away that center field job. So a lot hinges on what Duffy does."
Davis doesn't seem to get caught up in the "what-if" game, either. He's got strong religious convictions and is confident they will help guide him, that his belief in God is the best remedy for whatever ails him on the field.
"The last couple of months, I started to realize who I am as a person, as an individual and as a player," said Davis, who hit .281 with 76 strikeouts and 46 walks last season. "For me, getting close to God triggered that. The Lord is going to work it out with me. So where I am April 3 or April 4 or April 5, everyone will see the manifestations of what I believe. I really rely on God, he works out everything for me. I'm convinced of that."
Davis said he also benefited from playing last season in Altoona, where he was one of the younger players on the roster. Ever respectful and willing to learn, he said sitting back, observing and ultimately asking questions proved to be one of the best things he's done as a pro.
"I'm usually able to blend in with the older players," said Davis, who grew up idolizing former Cincinnati great Barry Larkin, admiring the fact that he spent his entire career with one organization. "They have more knowledge and experience, so you pick their brains and see what works bets for them. I learned about respect for the game and got to play with the older players, which helped me understand the game better."
If he does make it to the Major Leagues, Davis likely will get as many questions about his name as he will his abilities. Rajai (pronounced Rahj-ay) means king in Sanskrit. He said his mom, Diane, picked out the name.
"Every name has a meaning and a purpose behind that meaning," he said. "Once you find out what your name is, you know who you are and are reminded of it when they call you by that name."