Davis Daniel

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Los Angeles Angels #13 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: Daniel had Tommy John surgery after throwing just two innings for Auburn as a junior in 2019, but the Angels still drafted him in the seventh round and signed him for $172,500. Daniel began generating buzz when he returned during instructional league in 2020 and carried that momentum into his pro debut in 2021. He rose three levels from High-A to Triple-A and led the Angels system with 154 strikeouts.
  
  Scouting Report: Daniel has a full four-pitch arsenal, but he mostly goes after hitters with his fastball. His high-spin four-seamer sits 91-92 mph and touches 95 mph with above-average ride and cut to generate swings and misses at the top of the strike zone. He complements his fastball with a mid-70s, 12-to-6 curveball, an improving, low-80s changeup and a low-80s slider. None of them project to be more than average, but Daniel is a smart pitcher who knows when to throw them for maximum effectiveness. He throws plenty of strikes with above-average control and creates some deception with an old-school delivery in which he tilts his glove angle to hide the ball.
  
  The Future: Daniel has a chance to be a back-of-the-rotation starter if his secondaries continue to progress. He also has experience as a reliever, so where he pitches in the big leagues will be based on need.
  

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #154 prospect in 2019 draft
  Davis has been a highly regarded prospect since coming out of high school in Alabama, when he was drafted in the 34th round by the Cubs in 2016. Daniel immediately factored into Auburn's rotation as a freshman and then split time as a starter and reliever with the Tigers in 2018, when he was a draft-eligible sophomore and was selected in the 11th round by the Brewers. His 2019 season was ruined by an arm injury that eventually led to Tommy John surgery, having thrown just two innings in his season debut. That complicates things for Daniel, who could have been a top-100 prospect with a healthy season because of a fastball that's been up 97 mph, a solid breaking ball and a good changeup. Daniel struggled with his control at times when healthy--he walked 4.32 batters per nine innings during his sophomore season--and his fastball flattened out and became too hittable. His injury status will make him something of a wild card in the draft this year.
• Ranked #293 prospect in 2018 draft
  Daniel was well-regarded in 2016 coming out of the Alabama prep ranks and was drafted in the 34th round by the Cubs. He continued on to Auburn, where he has been a mainstay on staff the last two years. Daniel throws his fastball in the low 90s and regularly runs it up to 96 mph. He also throws a big curveball and a changeup, but both offerings are inconsistent. Two issues have hounded Daniel throughout his college career: his fastball doesn't have much life, making it easier to square up, and his control has been below-average. Daniel, a draft-eligible sophomore, pitched well down the stretch as he began working off his fastball more.
• Ranked #109 prospect in 2016 draft
  After lefthander Braxton Garrett, Daniel is the top high school prospect in Alabama this year. He threw back-to-back no-hitters this spring for St. James High, and has impressed scouts with his overall package. Daniel pitches with above-average fastball velocity, sitting at 93-94 mph with his fastball. But the pitch doesn't have much life, so he has to locate it down in the zone to be effective. His curveball also has plus potential, and he can throw it for strikes. He has a changeup, but hasn't needed to throw it often in high school and it will need further development. Listed at 6-foot-1, 175 pounds, Daniel is slightly undersized for a righthander and will be nearly 19 years old by draft day. But his advanced pitchability should ease his transition to the next level, whether that is the minor leagues or Auburn, where he is committed.

• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 40/High
  
  Track Record: Daniel had Tommy John surgery after throwing just two innings for Auburn as a junior in 2019, but the Angels still drafted him in the seventh round and signed him for $172,500. Daniel began generating buzz when he returned during instructional league in 2020 and carried that momentum into his pro debut in 2021. He rose three levels from High-A to Triple-A and led the Angels system with 154 strikeouts.
  
  Scouting Report: Daniel has a full four-pitch arsenal, but he mostly goes after hitters with his fastball. His high-spin four-seamer sits 91-92 mph and touches 95 mph with above-average ride and cut to generate swings and misses at the top of the strike zone. He complements his fastball with a mid-70s, 12-to-6 curveball, an improving, low-80s changeup and a low-80s slider. None of them project to be more than average, but Daniel is a smart pitcher who knows when to throw them for maximum effectiveness. He throws plenty of strikes with above-average control and creates some deception with an old-school delivery in which he tilts his glove angle to hide the ball.
  
  The Future: Daniel has a chance to be a back-of-the-rotation starter if his secondaries continue to progress. He also has experience as a reliever, so where he pitches in the big leagues will be based on need.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Daniel had Tommy John surgery after throwing just two innings for Auburn as a junior in 2019, but the Angels still drafted him in the seventh round and signed him for $172,500. Daniel began generating buzz when he returned during instructional league in 2020 and carried that momentum into his pro debut in 2021. He rose three levels from High-A to Triple-A and led the Angels system with 154 strikeouts.
  
  Scouting Report: Daniel has a full four-pitch arsenal, but he mostly goes after hitters with his fastball. His high-spin four-seamer sits 91-92 mph and touches 95 mph with above-average ride and cut to generate swings and misses at the top of the strike zone. He complements his fastball with a mid-70s, 12-to-6 curveball, an improving, low-80s changeup and a low-80s slider. None of them project to be more than average, but Daniel is a smart pitcher who knows when to throw them for maximum effectiveness. He throws plenty of strikes with above-average control and creates some deception with an old-school delivery in which he tilts his glove angle to hide the ball.
  
  The Future: Daniel has a chance to be a back-of-the-rotation starter if his secondaries continue to progress. He also has experience as a reliever, so where he pitches in the big leagues will be based on need.
  
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  A seventh-round pick out of Auburn in 2019, Daniel began generating buzz at instructional league last fall and has carried it over into this season. His fastball averages 92 mph and touches 95 with above-average cut and ride that helps it get swings and misses at the top of the strike zone. His 12-to-6 curveball gives him the north-south profile teams covet and his changeup has improved, but he mostly just dominates with his fastball. He commands his fastball well and has a chance to be a back-of-the-rotation starter if his secondaries continue to progress.
• December, 2018 Scouting Report
  Davis has been a highly regarded prospect since coming out of high school in Alabama, when he was drafted in the 34th round by the Cubs in 2016. Daniel immediately factored into Auburn's rotation as a freshman and then split time as a starter and reliever with the Tigers in 2018, when he was a draft-eligible sophomore and was selected in the 11th round by the Brewers. His 2019 season was ruined by an arm injury that eventually led to Tommy John surgery, having thrown just two innings in his season debut. That complicates things for Daniel, who could have been a top-100 prospect with a healthy season because of a fastball that's been up 97 mph, a solid breaking ball and a good changeup. Daniel struggled with his control at times when healthy--he walked 4.32 batters per nine innings during his sophomore season--and his fastball flattened out and became too hittable. His injury status will make him something of a wild card in the draft this year.