D.J. Davis

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Toronto Blue Jays #10 prospect in 2016
  The 17th overall pick in the 2012 draft, Davis nonetheless was behind Anthony Alford on the Blue Jays' board and has fallen behind his fellow Magnolia State prep product even though Alford took a two-year football detour. The Jays knew Davis was raw--another reason why they took Marcus Stroman with their second firstrounder that year--and had him repeat low Class A in 2015, and he responded with significant improvement across the board. Davis had bad habits and no idea how to right the ship in 2014, but started to figure it out with more experience. His tools remain significant--he's a blazing 70 runner who remains raw on the basepaths, though he made progress there. He has plus raw power and plus raw hitting ability that he's unlikely to fulfill. He's a free swinger who doesn't always recognize offspeed stuff, particularly changeups, and doesn't trust his hands, manipulate the barrel or employ subtle hitting arts, such as the bunt, to take advantage of his speed. He's a fringy defender with similarly graded arm strength best suited to left field. The true boom or bust pick, Davis has time and encouraged club officials by showing improvement after a disastrous first try at full-season ball. He could be a late bloomer and still reach a Carl Crawford-type of ceiling, but it may take 2,500 minor league at-bats. He's headed to high Class A Dunedin for 2016.
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  Ranked Toronto Blue Jays #21 prospect in 2015
  Davis is climbing the ladder in the same organization where his father spent his minor league career. He is a premium athlete and the ability to be an impact two-way center fielder, though feel for the game, ability to make adjustments and swing-and-miss tendencies hold him back. Davis, who has above-average bat speed, struck out nearly one-third of the time in 2014, with an aggressive approach that scouts would like to see toned down, as well as timing and pitch recognition issues. He offers surprising strength from his lean, athletic build, flashing plus raw power. He is a plus-plus runner, but his speed has not translated and he was caught (20) more times than he stole successfully (19) in 2014. He could also be a plus defender in center field if his reads improve. Davis, who has a below-average arm, will also need to cut down on his miscues after making 18 errors in 2014. He faces a likely return to Lansing in 2015.
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  Ranked Toronto Blue Jays #3 prospect in 2014
  One of the youngest players in the 2012 draft, Davis was the first of five picks the Blue Jays made before the second round. His father Wayne, also an outfielder, played in the organization from 1985-88. Davis has the highest ceiling of any position player in the system, offering impact potential at a premium position. Davis has a lean, wiry build with good strength in his hands and forearms, quick-twitch athleticism and top-of-the-scale speed. He has plus range in center field and could become a plus defender. He has natural strength and leverage in his swing, producing plus raw power from the left side. He has above-average bat speed, and Davis could hit 15-20 home runs at his peak. His hit tool and overall game remain raw, however, and he has struggled to make consistent contact. His aggressive approach and limited breaking ball recognition led to strikeouts in nearly 30 percent of plate appearances at Rookie-level Bluefield. Davis, who has a below-average arm, will need to improve his outfield reads and game awareness, and learn to use his speed on the bases more efficiently, as he stole bases at a below-average rate of 62 percent. Davis is a high-ceiling talent who will take time to develop. He should get his first taste of full-season ball in 2014 at low Class A Lansing.
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  Ranked Toronto Blue Jays #6 prospect in 2013
  With their first of five picks before the second round of the 2012 draft, the Blue Jays selected Davis 17th overall. He signed quickly for $1.75 million, allowing him to play 60 pro games and reach short-season Vancouver before the end of the summer. The track record of Mississippi high school prospects is downright poor, but Davis is more athletic and polished than most of them. Some scouts believe his pure speed rivals that of fellow Mississippi burner Billy Hamilton, who destroyed the minor league stolen base record in 2012. Davis repeatedly gets from the right side of the plate to first base in less than four seconds, creates havoc on the basepaths and has excellent range in center field. He can use his quickness to get on base too, though he's more than a slap hitter. He has a short, whippy swing and keeps the bat in the hitting zone for a long time. He has strong hands and can pull the ball with authority, giving him the potential for double-digit home run totals. His weakest tool is his arm, which is fringy but playable. Davis may be advanced enough at the plate to handle an assignment to low Class A at the start of 2013. More likely, he'll hang back in extended spring training before returning to Vancouver in June.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #20 prospect in 2012 draft
  Davis is fighting a difficult profile out of Mississippi. The state has produced 32 first-round and supplemental first-round picks since the draft's inception. But the only players drafted out of the Magnolia State in the first round who signed out of high school and reached the majors are outfielder Don Castle (1968 draft), who played four games in 1973, and Steve Pegues (1987 draft), who had a 100-game career. In fact, infielders Charlie Hayes (1983) and Bill Hall (1998) have had the best careers of Mississippi prep products in draft history. That history may move Davis down some draft boards, but his talent puts him squarely in the first round. He's faster even than Reds prospect Billy Hamilton, the state's current standard-bearer, turning in 6.4-second 60 times, and has more than enough range for center field, with below-average but playable arm strength. Moreover, Davis has good strength in his hands and forearms, with a real chance to hit for average. He's fast enough to be a slap hitter but isn't one. He has an old-fashioned handsy, whippy swing and has shown gap power and consistent hard contact against good competition, such as at East Coast Showcase and playing for the Mets scout team in the fall. He has better instincts more polish than the average Mississippi prep player, which gives some ammunition to counter the state's track record in the first round. He's considered signable, having committed to Meridian (Miss.) CC.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked American League #2 prospect in 2013
  The first of five 2012 first or supplemental-round picks by the Blue Jays, Davis received $1.75 million and spent all of this season at Bluefield after playing at three short-season stops last summer. He was one of the league?s most exciting players, offering quick-twitch athleticism, a center-field profile and game-changing speed?though he?s learning how to take full advantage of it. Davis has quick hands, above-average bat speed and surprised many with his power, as 41 percent of his hits went for extra bases. Although peak power of 10-15 home runs is most likely, the most optimistic evaluators believed Davis has the power to hit 20. ?He has the ability to be a true offensive threat and has Carl Crawford upside,? a manager said. ?He can really run, can range into both gaps and has natural pop to his bat.? As with many Mississippi prep products, Davis remains raw. He has yet to find his swing path or make adjustments to his aggressive, pull-oriented approach. He often expanded the zone, striking out in 30 percent of his plate appearances. He also has a below-average arm and needs to improve his outfield reads.
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  Ranked Florida Complex League #3 prospect in 2012
  The Blue Jays were drawn to Davis' speed and athleticism when they drafted him 17th overall in June and signed him for $1.75 million. One of the youngest players in the draft, he struggled to make contact in the GCL but finished the summer in the short-season Northwest League and helped Vancouver win a championship. Davis has a handsy swing that's short and repeatable, and he whips the barrel through the zone with good bat speed. He has excellent strength through his hands, wrists and forearms, which leads to more pop than might be expected from a lithe player known most for his speed. Some scouts think he has a chance to hit for a high average, but he's not a pure hitter and he's still learning to incorporate his lower half in his swing and to recognize offspeed pitches. The fastest player in the 2012 draft, Davis is an 80 runner on the 20-80 scouting scale. His routes to the ball aren't always direct and he's doesn't always play under control when he's coming in on a ball, but his speed gives him outstanding range in center field. He can become an elite defender despite a below-average arm. "He makes adjustments very quickly," Blue Jays manager John Schneider said. "If you tell him something, he does what you say. Then tools-wise, it's pretty fun to watch."

• December, 2012 Scouting Report
  Background: With their first of five picks before the second round of the 2012 draft, the Blue Jays selected Davis 17th overall. He signed quickly for $1.75 million. The track record of Mississippi high school prospects is downright poor, but Davis is more athletic and polished than most of them. Scouting Report: Some scouts believe his pure speed rivals that of fellow Mississippi burner Billy Hamilton, who destroyed the minor league stolen base record in 2012. Davis repeatedly gets from the right side of the plate to first base in less than four seconds, creates havoc on the basepaths and has excellent range in center field. He can use his quickness to get on base too, though he's more than a slap hitter. He has a short, whippy swing and keeps the bat in the hitting zone for a long time. He has strong hands and can pull the ball with authority, giving him the potential for double-digit home run totals. His weakest tool is his arm, which is fringy but certainly playable. The Future: Davis is advanced enough at the plate to possibly handle an assignment to low Class A at the start of 2013. More likely, he'll hang back in extended spring training before returning to Vancouver in June.