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Pirates Predicted to Cut Ties With No. 1 Pick, but They Shouldn't
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- Pirates Predicted to Cut Ties With No. 1 Pick, but They Shouldn't
(IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
The Pittsburgh Pirates have a ton of young talent, which makes the organization's future exciting.
I understand that Pirates fans want to see them win games at a high level before they get very excited, but 2026 was a step in the right direction. If anything, it showed us that the Pirates front office and ownership were finally willing to make some moves, something we haven't seen in quite some time.
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In the same breath, the Pirates haven't really been great on other fronts. Some players haven't lived up to expectations, including youngster Henry Davis . Davis, the first overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft, is a fine player at times, but his lack of offensive production and other issues just haven't been great.
That's one reason some even expect Pittsburgh to cut ties with him in the offseason.
"The No. 1 overall pick in 2021, Henry Davis was once viewed as the future of Pirates baseball. Unfortunately, we're four years into his career and the 26-year-old still has not improved upon the .653 OPS he posted as a rookie. Davis is hitting .170 this season, with a .567 OPS and 56 wRC+. He's solid behind home plate and shares a strong rapport with Pittsburgh's aces, but the bat — even by the low standards of his position — is increasingly difficult to stomach.
"Davis is under club control through 2029, but there's reason to believe Pittsburgh could bite the bullet and DFA him now," Christopher Kline wrote .
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I wouldn't understand designating Davis for assignment just yet, as taking him off the 40-man roster really doesn't do a whole lot.
However, if the Pirates can find a better catcher this winter, I don't hate the idea. At the same time, this was a guy who was literally just picked first overall, and he's still very young, so there could be some upside there.
To move on from Davis and see him find success elsewhere would be a terrible outcome and one that I know most Pirates fans could see happening.
Even if he can become a league average bat, there's a lot to like.
