David Davidson

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #23 prospect in 2008
  A 10th-rounder in 2002, Davidson is the highest-drafted Canadian ever taken by the Pirates. He logged just 62 innings in his first three pro seasons because of a variety of injuries and a shoulder operation. Finally healthy in 2006, he had a breakout season and posted a combined 2.01 ERA at three levels, earning him a spot on the 40-man roster at the end of that year. He maintained that status and made his big league debut in 2007. Davidson's fastball usually tops out at 90 mph, but he has an outstanding curveball that's particularly effective against lefthanders. He has had trouble consistently throwing strikes throughout his career, and that could limit him to being a situational reliever in the major leagues. He was overmatched in his first taste of the majors but followed that up with a good showing in the Arizona Fall League. Davidson has a great love for the game and owns a baseball training facility with former Pirates outfielder Scott Bullett in Welland, Ontario. He likely will begin the season in Triple-A but is close to a finished product despite his lack of experience.
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  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #17 prospect in 2007
  The Pirates saw plenty of upside in Davidson when they drafted him out of Canada, but he didn't have much opportunity to show his ability until last year. He signed too late to play professionally in 2002, then was limited in his first three seasons because of a variety of injuries. The Pirates decided to move him to the bullpen last season because of his durability problems, and he had a 2.01 ERA and 96 strikeouts in a combined 76 innings at three levels. Davidson's fastball rarely tops 90 mph, but he has an outstanding curveball that eats up hitters from both sides of the plate. He struggled in the past to command his pitches, illustrated by his 50 walks in 62 innings in his first three seasons. But having the chance to pitch more consistently helped him cut that rate to 3.9 per nine innings in 2006. He lacks experience with a changeup, though he won't need it in the bullpen. He has a good chance to begin the 2007 season in Triple-A and be knocking on the door of the major leagues by midseason.