Is Henry Davis's swing about to get a major league makeover? The Pittsburgh Pirates' top draft pick is embarking on a deep dive into his biomechanics, hoping to unlock the hitting potential that has so far eluded him in the majors.
Since being tabbed as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft, Henry Davis has been a beacon of hope for the Pirates. The organization has consistently praised his relentless work ethic and dedication to improving both his offensive and defensive game. Davis himself is keenly aware that his current batting average doesn't reflect his true capabilities. Last season, he posted a .167 batting average, a figure that, frankly, doesn't paint a very flattering picture.
The Pirates organization still firmly believes Davis can ascend to the status of the dominant college hitter they drafted, even if his minor league prowess hasn't quite translated to the big leagues. Consider this: in 79 games at Triple-A Indianapolis, he showcased an impressive .316/.417/.548 slash line with 21 doubles, 15 home runs, and 50 RBIs. Now, contrast that with his major league performance, where he's a career .181 hitter with 21 doubles, 15 homers, and 51 RBIs over 186 games for the Pirates.
Instead of relying on guesswork, Davis has taken a scientific approach, collaborating with both the Pirates' internal staff and an external expert. His mission? To pinpoint exactly what he does well and, more crucially, to identify the flaws in his swing.
"You can get a little lost looking at an iPad or looking at a side profile of a swing – I think I can drive myself crazy looking at that – but keeping my weight in a spot where I can use the whole field and staying in the zone a long time, I know what those check points are day to day," Davis shared. "I’ll go take 500 swings trying to figure it out and it doesn’t really matter if I don’t know what I’m doing wrong. … I’m a player that’s going to do whatever it takes but having the actual information of what made me the first overall pick, what makes me such a good hitter and really trying to buy into that, I was much further from that than I thought at any point last year. I think I really thought I was close, and I wasn’t."
But here's where it gets interesting: Davis understands that PNC Park, the Pirates' home stadium, isn't exactly a hitter's paradise for right-handed power. This past offseason, he focused on revamping his swing, which previously saw a significant 43.6% of his batted balls pulled to the left side. In fact, all seven of his home runs last season were hit to left field or left-center. The data suggests his home run total could have been significantly higher in other ballparks; his expected homers would have doubled at Dodger Stadium and been in the double digits at three of his National League Central opponents' parks.
His spring training debut offered a glimpse of these changes. In batting practice, he appeared more upright, with his hands held away from his shoulders. Former Pirates catcher and analyst Michael McKenry predicts this adjustment "will make him more direct to the ball and most certainly help him with the high spin and velo." The biomechanics report also shed light on how Davis generates force into the ground.
"I think sometimes if I start with my weight too far back, my leg will press real hard into the ground and spin to the left. That’s why everybody says it looks like I’m trying to pull," Davis explained. "Obviously, I’m not trying to do that, but your back leg is your gas pedal and I’m super lower-half dominant, so it’s understanding how hitters built like me perform at the highest level. At times, I had little stints where I could get away with good hand-eye, but being in a spot mechanically where I’m going to be one of the best hitters in the game, that’s the goal."
Davis acknowledges he has a long road ahead to achieve his ultimate goal. However, he also recognizes his significant progress. Initially, the Pirates weren't entirely convinced of his catching abilities at the major league level but were eager to utilize his bat in 2023, leading to his promotion to right field. During that stint, he managed 10 doubles and seven homers with 24 RBIs in 62 games, even becoming the first player to hit two home runs in a single game off the formidable Shohei Ohtani.
And this is the part most people miss: Davis has since transformed into a formidable defensive catcher. He currently ranks in the 91st percentile for pop time at an impressive 1.89 seconds. His defensive runs saved metric saw a remarkable turnaround, improving from minus-4 in 2024 to plus-8 last season. His development behind the plate was so significant that he earned the trust of pitcher Paul Skenes, becoming his personal catcher for Skenes' final 28 starts and eventually sharing catching duties with Joey Bart.
Davis's defensive prowess was further validated by receiving NL Gold Glove votes. Pirates general manager Ben Cherington lauded his defensive impact and expressed confidence in his ability to replicate that success offensively. "That’s been a transformation. To his credit he’s worked his tail off at it, become a really good defensive player," Cherington stated. "There is a history of offense there in the minor leagues; it’s just hasn’t matriculated at the major league level yet. The good news is he’s gone into an offseason for the first time, this past offseason, with a full clarity of that. He’s basically had a full major league season worth of feedback. When Henry gets feedback and he’s focused on doing something about it, usually, good things happen."
The biomechanics data, provided by the Pirates' hitting coach Matt Hague, has underscored the importance of balance for Davis. He's embracing the influx of information, aiming to simplify his stance and swing, maintain a neutral body position, and drive through the ball in front of him rather than chopping at it.
"They showed me something where I had 90% of my weight on my back side," Davis revealed. "I had no (expletive) idea. No idea. I’m just trying to hit and do the best I can and make adjustments. I can get down on the front side and make a cleaner move on the ball. They do a good job explaining it. I think it’s a work in progress. Now I can stay relaxed."
Where once Davis's hitting struggles might have led to hours of video analysis without a clear solution, the biomechanical breakdown now allows for much quicker and more precise adjustments. "There’s no ‘could be.’ This is what we have to do," Davis asserted. "Put it in front of me and I’ll get it done."
Pirates manager Don Kelly was effusive in his praise after witnessing Davis's batting practice, describing it as "awesome." He noted Davis's ability to hit line drives to the opposite field before launching "an absolute bomb" to left field. "He’s doing a great job of making the adjustments, staying within himself and working on the things that he needs to work on to get better offensively," Kelly commented. "I would not bet against Henry Davis in anything when he is committed to something. He put a lot of work in in the offseason to work on his offense and continue to get better."
Now, for the big question: Do you believe Henry Davis can translate these biomechanical insights into consistent major league success? Or is this another case of a player chasing perfection in a game that's inherently imperfect? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
