Pirates' Henry Davis Faces Uphill Battle to Reach Potential

Top prospect's bat has yet to come alive at the major league level, posing a challenge for the team's competitiveness.

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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The Pittsburgh Pirates' top draft pick in 2021, catcher Henry Davis, has struggled mightily at the plate in his early MLB career, slashing just .167/.234/.278 last season. Despite his strong defensive abilities behind the plate, Davis' lack of offensive production has been a concern for the team as they look to take the next step and become competitive. The Pirates have tried other options at catcher, but Davis' upside remains the highest if he can find his swing.

Why it matters

For the Pirates to reach their full potential as a team, they need Davis' bat to come alive and provide a consistent offensive threat from the catcher position. His defensive skills are already there, but his struggles at the plate have limited the team's lineup flexibility and overall competitiveness.

The details

Davis was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft, with the Pirates excited about his bat-to-ball ability and power potential. However, those tools have not translated to the majors yet, as he slashed just .167/.234/.278 last season while splitting time with other catchers like Joey Bart and Endy Rodríguez. The Pirates' pitching rotation is talented, so Davis' ability to guide the staff would be a major asset, but he needs to start producing offensively to claim a full-time role and help the team take the next step.

  • Davis was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft.
  • In the 2022 season, Davis slashed .167/.234/.278.

The players

Henry Davis

The Pittsburgh Pirates' top draft pick in 2021, who has struggled to find his offensive rhythm at the major league level despite his strong defensive abilities as a catcher.

Joey Bart

Another catcher who has split time with Davis on the Pirates' roster.

Endy Rodríguez

Another catcher who has split time with Davis on the Pirates' roster.

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What they’re saying

“When the Bucs took Davis with the top pick in the 2021 MLB Draft, they were as excited about his bat-to-ball ability as they were his power bat.”

— Dawn Klemish, MLB.com writer (MLB.com)

“That's not all on Davis, who also couldn't gain much momentum when splitting lineup time with two other catchers (Joey Bart and Endy Rodríguez).”

— Dawn Klemish, MLB.com writer (MLB.com)

“Davis is easily the best defensive catcher out of the quartet currently in camp (also Rafael Flores Jr.), and if he can get hot at the plate like the Pirates believe he's capable of doing, it would go a long way toward claiming a more full-time role in the lineup.”

— Dawn Klemish, MLB.com writer (MLB.com)

What’s next

The Pirates will need to continue to give Davis opportunities to prove himself at the plate and establish himself as the team's everyday catcher. If he can find his swing and provide consistent offensive production, it would be a major boost for the team's chances of being competitive in 2023 and beyond.

The takeaway

The success of the Pittsburgh Pirates in the coming seasons may hinge on whether top prospect Henry Davis can unlock his offensive potential at the major league level. While his defensive skills are already strong, Davis' struggles at the plate have limited the team's lineup flexibility and overall competitiveness. If Davis can break through and become the offensive force the Pirates envisioned when they drafted him, it could be a game-changer for the organization.