MARCUS DAVIS

11/11/84; '07 18th; Alcorn State Univ.
R/R; 6-3, 205

Level
BA
OBP
SA
AB
2B
3B
HR
BB
K
SB
CS
2006 NCAA
.424
.469
.847
170
15
12
11
12
49
14
2
2007 NCAA
.393
.489
.841
145
11
3
16
19
28
29
4
2007 A-
.232
.322
.477
155
8
3
8
18
46
15
5
2008 A
.229
.294
.434
175
10
1
8
12
58
5
1

Davis tore apart the Southwestern Athletic Conference as a junior and senior, but was largely overlooked by scouts because of the low level of competition in the SWAC.  He must have been in JC ball prior to 2006.  In an article shortly after he was drafted, the State College coaches said Davis by his own admission was extremely raw and was eager to learn, as he'd never had any real coaching.  Davis signed quickly and opened at State College.  He clearly has a lot to learn, but also showed significant tools.  He tied Justin Byler for the team lead in HRs, although he played only a little more than half as much as Byler, and he was a close second to Byler in slugging average despite a much lower batting average.  He also showed good speed on the bases and was willing to take a walk.  Struggles with breaking balls, though, led to a lot of Ks.  He had a large platoon split, with an OPS against LHPs of .940 and against RHPs of .724.  I saw him play once and he looked uncertain in the field.

Davis clearly is a project, but unlike the vast majority of the hitters drafted during Dave Littlefield's misrule, he actually has some ceiling.  The team under Littlefield focused so heavily on going with "safe," low-ceiling players and trying to produce good W/L records, even in the low minors, that it's doubtful Davis would have gotten much opportunity.  This is evidenced by the fact that he sat out a third of the team's games in favor of non-prospects like Miles Durham and James Barksdale.  The Pirates believe Davis has considerable potential and started him off playing CF at Hickory in 2008.  The team's new mangement has been adamant about keeping their best players at positions that maximize their potential value, with the decisions to play Davis and Jose Tabata in CF being examples.  Davis got off to a dismal start, then got very hot for several weeks before going into a 3-for-28 skid.  At the end of that slump he went out for the year with a knee injury.  It's obvious that he still has significant strike zone issues but also has very good power.  He had a significant reverse platoon split this time.  I don't know how he did in CF, although I'm skeptical whether he can play there.  It's unfortunate he missed the time, because he'll be 24 at the start of next season.  If he's healthy the Pirates could try him at Lynchburg, but he probably needs some time at West Virginia before moving up.  In any event, he has to make progress quickly to be considered a prospect.

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