OF Chase Davis, Franklin HS [CA]
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DoB: 12/5/2001. B/T: L/L
Commitment: Arizona.
Chase Davis is yet another outfielder from a strong California high school crop, coming from Franklin High School in the Sacramento area. One of the best athletes in the class, it's a lot of fun to watch Davis play, and at his best he can look like a first round pick. He was trending up over the summer as he improved his hit tool, and while a relatively slow start to the season slowed that progress a little, it wasn't nearly enough to erase it and he remains one of the most dynamic high schoolers in the class.
The first thing that stands out about Davis is his athleticism. Well-known to be a gym rat, he's an explosive athlete whose strength translates well onto the baseball field. He has extremely quick hands that he channels into explosive bat speed, which in turn enables him to show plus raw power when he gets into one. However, he has some extreme pre-swing bat wrap in which the end of the bat curls behind his head and points almost towards the pitcher, making his swing significantly longer than it needs to be. This in turn has caused his hit tool to play down perhaps a half grade or more from where it should be, and it could also be reason to envision an even higher ceiling.
Davis is a streaky hitter, but at times he has shown the ability to consistently square up high velocity and put a charge into the ball. If he can eliminate that bat wrap, his hands are so quick and he does such a good job of generating leverage that he could end up with an above average hit tool when all is said and done. Combine that with plus power, and you have a real impact hitter. In addition to his bat, Davis is a good runner with above average speed, and he could be a great defender in right field with an exceptional arm.
There is great upside value here, as Davis' realistic ceiling has him hitting 30+ home runs annually with decent on-base percentages, some speed, and good defense in right field. However, his relatively slow start to the season could scare some more risk-averse teams off, as many are valuing track record right now and Davis' is naturally short as a high schooler as well as a bit uneven. He could have a wide draft range, anywhere from the early second round if he's signable and a team buys into the upside, to the late third if teams are feeling particularly risk-averse, to not at all if his asking price gets too high away from his Arizona commitment.
BP, fielding, and game action over the summer
More hitting over the summer
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