Garrett Davila Stats & Scouting Report

Full name Garrett Oscar Davila
Born 01/17/1997 in Belmont, NC
Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 180 / Bats: L / Throws: L
School South Point
Drafted in the 4th round (129th overall) by the Kansas City Royals in 2015 (signed for $746,000).

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Davila entered the spring one of many projectable Mid-Atlantic arms, and showed quickly that he had taken the appropriate steps forward. He pitched more in the mid-to-upper 80s as a rising senior on the showcase circuit, but began to fill out his 6-foot-2 frame over the offseason, and came out with low 90s velocity this spring. The southpaw was unhittable this spring, striking out nearly two batters per inning and allowing only one earned run through the entire season. Davila pitched mostly at 88-91 mph, though he bumped 93 at times. His best offspeed pitch is his mid-70s curveball, which breaks with 11-to-5 shape and projects as an average pitch. Davila can battle command issues at times and may take a while to develop, but there is still room to fill in his frame, and some scouts see him as a potential back-of-the-rotation starter. Davila is committed to Tennessee, where he could potentially join the Volunteers' weekend rotation quickly, though area scouts believe that he is signable.

Top Rankings

Davila has a pretty good idea to pitch right now. What will be interesting to watch over the next three to five years is whether he's still pitching with the 87-92 mph fastball he currently throws, or if he gains a tick to turn his fringe-average fastball into an average one. Davila succeeded in the Appalachian League by spotting his fastball to set up an already average changeup that projects to be above-average to plus down the road. The changeup is effective because it has fade and late drop and Davila maintains his arm speed. To reach the back-end starter profile Davila is projected to have as a ceiling he'll need to sharpen up his curveball. Right now two out of every three are ineffective loopy breakers, but every now and then he'll break off an average curveball. Davila's delivery is clean and he has the makings of at least average control. His ceiling is limited by his lack of velocity, but he knows how to string pitches together already. He'll head to low Class A Lexington as he continues to try to get stronger.

Davila entered the spring one of many projectable Mid-Atlantic arms, and showed quickly that he had taken the appropriate steps forward. He pitched more in the mid-to-upper 80s as a rising senior on the showcase circuit, but began to fill out his 6-foot-2 frame over the offseason, and came out with low 90s velocity this spring. The southpaw was unhittable this spring, striking out nearly two batters per inning and allowing only one earned run through the entire season. Davila pitched mostly at 88-91 mph, though he bumped 93 at times. His best offspeed pitch is his mid-70s curveball, which breaks with 11-to-5 shape and projects as an average pitch. Davila can battle command issues at times and may take a while to develop, but there is still room to fill in his frame, and some scouts see him as a potential back-of-the-rotation starter. Davila is committed to Tennessee, where he could potentially join the Volunteers' weekend rotation quickly, though area scouts believe that he is signable.

Scouts were split on Davila as an amateur, with some dismissing him due to his lack of physicality or elite velocity. In high school, he mowed through his competition, mostly with an upper-80s fastball and a loopy, 12-to-6 curveball. He spent his draft year getting stronger, then made his pro debut this summer. In high school, Davila would throw his changeup while warming up in the bullpen but not in games. Evaluators this summer praised his changeup, with some grading it as a future plus. He throws his change with the same arm speed as his fastball and generates plus fade, allowing him to get swings and misses. His fastball works in the upper 80s and touches 92 mph, showing enough late movement to generate poor contact. The presence of his fastball-changeup combo allows his curveball, which grades as a below-average, to play as a third weapon and change the batter's eye level. Davila has a slight plunge in the back of his arm action, but he is loose through his three-quarters arm slot and has an athletic hip swing into his stride. He's able to locate his pitches and has above-average control. He projects for average command as he continues to gain reps.

LHP Garrett Davila assigned to Charlotte Knights.
LHP Garrett Davila roster status changed by Birmingham Barons.
LHP Garrett Davila assigned to Birmingham Barons from Charlotte Knights.
LHP Garrett Davila assigned to Birmingham Barons from Charlotte Knights.
LHP Garrett Davila assigned to Charlotte Knights from Birmingham Barons.
LHP Garrett Davila assigned to Birmingham Barons from Charlotte Knights.
LHP Garrett Davila assigned to Charlotte Knights from Birmingham Barons.
LHP Garrett Davila assigned to Colombia.
LHP Garrett Davila assigned to Birmingham Barons.
Chicago White Sox signed free agent LHP Garrett Davila to a minor league contract.
LHP Garrett Davila roster status changed by Chicago White Sox.