Pittsburgh Pirates Shock the Baseball World With #1 Draft Pick

The Pittsburgh Pirates love themselves some Henry Davis and they don't care what anyone else thinks. The team selected Davis with their #1 pick at the 2021 MLB Draft on Sunday night and it certainly caught everyone by surprise.

Davis ends up being the second catcher selected in the past three seasons after the Baltimore Orioles made Adley Rutschman their newest member of the organization at the 2019 draft. 

Davis is a Louisville Cardinal product and absolutely raked this season. He hit 15 HR in 50 games and swiped 10 bags. Even more impressive was the slash line he carried - .370/.482/.663. 

All the eyes were on Marcel Mayer, a prep shortstop prospect going first overall but the Pirates decided it was the backstop they wanted. Mayer would go later at #4 to the Boston Red Sox. 

As per the Score bio on Davis:

Bio
Age: 21
Position: C
Height/Weight: 6-foot-2, 210 lbs
Bats/Throws: R/R
School: Louisville
Pick value (#1): $8,415,300

Tools
Outstanding arm
Solid offensive ceiling
Quick for a catcher

Why fans will love this player: Caught 34% of base-stealers over first two college seasons

Things he'll need to overcome: Too much of a pull hitter & struggles to consistently handle pitchers with good stuff