Ike Davis Stats & Scouting Report

AB	2076
AVG	.239
OBP	.332
SLG	.414
HR	81

Full name Isaac Benjamin Davis
Born 03/22/1987 in Edina, MN
Profile Ht.: 6'4" / Wt.: 220 / Bats: L / Throws: L
School Arizona State
Debut 04/19/2010
Drafted in the 1st round (18th overall) by the New York Mets in 2008 (signed for $1,575,000).

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The son of former big league reliever Ron Davis, Ike was not a scouts' favorite coming into his junior season. A decorated high school career that included a star turn with Team USA's youth national squad and an MVP award at the 2004 Aflac Classic, and his pitching family pedigree, had most scouts regarding him as a pitcher out of high school. He decided to go to Arizona State rather than sign as a Rays 19th-round pick, and he started on the mound and batted cleanup in his first game as a Sun Devil. He struggled with wood in the Alaska League in 2006 and in the Cape in 2007, when he cut his summer short to have right wrist surgery. He returned to the mound as a closer in 2008 and played first base to keep his arm fresh. He also worked to incorporate his lower half more and was having a banner season, leading the Sun Devils in the triple crown categories as well as saves, before missing time with a ribcage injury. Davis has excellent raw power, comparing to former ASU star Jeff Larish, but he's a much better defender with a better swing and better pitch recognition. Davis is above-average at first base and should be able to play an outfield corner as well due to his plus arm; his below-average speed could limit him to left.

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Organization Prospect Rankings

The son of former major league pitcher Ron Davis, Ike went homerless in his first 215 at-bats after signing for $1.575 million as the 18th pick in the 2008 draft. He rebounded with 20 homers while reaching Double-A in his first full season. He hit .333 with three homers in eight games to help Team USA win the World Cup in Italy in September. Davis has quick hands and lift in his swing, giving him plus power. He has the bat speed to catch up to good fastballs. Also a pitcher and right fielder at Arizona State, he's an above-average defender with good hands and a strong arm at first base. He has exceptional makeup and isn't in awe of big league surroundings. Davis has somewhat of a long swing and can become pull-conscious, leaving him vulnerable to pitches on the outer half and prone to strikeouts. While he hit .298 last season, he'll have to adjust his approach to hit for average in the majors. Though he's agile at first base, he's a below-average runner. The Mets entered the offseason with Daniel Murphy set to open 2010 as their first baseman and Davis headed to Triple-A Buffalo. He should make his big league debut later in the year and eventually supplant Murphy as New York's starter.
Davis shouldn't be intimidated when he ultimately arrives at Citi Field, the Mets' new home. The Mets' top pick in the 2008 draft already was taking batting practice off Hall of Famer Goose Gossage at Yankee Stadium at 14 years old. Davis' father Ron was a big league reliever for 11 seasons, including from 1978-81 as a Yankee. After flashing power in college, Davis was slow to recover from a strained oblique muscle and failed to homer in 215 at-bats at Brooklyn after signing for $1.575 million. Still, the Mets regard Davis as a future power hitter. Davis needs to mature physically--unlike Reese Havens, their other 2008 first-rounder, whom they feel will have a quicker route to the big leagues. He carried the pressure of being the Mets' top pick and pressed. He's considered a slick defensive first baseman--the type who could contend for a Gold Glove some day, which will help if his bat doesn't develop as hoped. Davis may eventually be asked to play right field because of his strong arm. Davis--a lefty thrower and hitter, unlike his father--pitched his freshman year at Arizona State, then played right field his sophomore year and first base and pitcher as a junior. He was capable of registering 92 mph on the mound. He has below-average speed. Davis appears ticketed for high Class A to begin 2009.

Minor League Top Prospects

The son of former all-star pitcher Ron Davis reached the EL in mid-June, barely a year after the Mets drafted him 18th overall. Whereas fellow Mets '08 draftee Brad Holt stumbled in Binghamton, Davis thrived. He led the B-Mets with 13 homers in just 55 games before joining Team USA for the World Cup. Davis has true plus power from the left side. He sells out to reach it at times, spinning off balls in an attempt to jerk the ball out of the park, and it costs him plate coverage. Lefthanders took advantage of that tendency, and he struck out 25 times in 71 at-bats against them (though he did his .262/.342/.465). Davis isn't afraid to go deep in counts and showed the ability to make adjustments. He has the bat speed to turn on good fastballs inside. A potential plus defender at first base, Davis has good hands but needs a bit more focus with the glove. He has above-average arm strength--he pitched some at Arizona State--and got a brief trial in the outfield with Binghamton.
Drafted in the first round in 2008 for his power, Davis went homerless in a disappointing pro debut. He put that behind him this year, smacking 20 homers between St. Lucie and Double-A Binghamton. Thanks to his quick hands, Davis has plus power. He uses a squared-up stance that some managers felt left him too often hitting off his front foot, but in his defense, he's not bothered by breaking balls and offspeed stuff. Along with his power, he stood out for his work at first base with good hands, solid agility around the bag and an above-average arm for the position.
The son of former all-star Ron Davis, Ike had a standout career as a two-way player at Arizona State, capped by a All-America junior year this spring. The Mets took him with the first of their two first-round picks (17th overall), but he was one of the bigger disappointments in the NY-P. Before getting relatively hot over the final 14 games of the season, Davis was hitting .227, and he finished the summer homerless in 215 at-bats. "He was just a flop," an American League scout said. "I don't know if anyone will have anything good to say about him. He was moping around, just not giving it to you. He wasn't very aggressive at the plate, and when he strikes out he's always shocked when he's called out." Multiple scouts questioned Davis' toughness and attitude, but all still acknowledged the tools are there. He shows easy lefthanded power in batting practice, particularly to right field, and he can lace doubles to the opposite field. He did a better job staying back on the ball late in the season. His bat will carry him, but he also has a very strong arm that could allow him to slide to right field. He doesn't run well and isn't particularly agile, so he may remain at first base.