Rajai Davis Stats & Scouting Report

AB	4244
AVG	.262
OBP	.311
SLG	.379
HR	62

Full name Rajai Lavae Davis
Born 10/19/1980 in Norwich, CT
Profile Ht.: 5'10" / Wt.: 195 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Connecticut - Avery Point
Debut 08/14/2006
Drafted in the 38th round (1,134th overall) by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2001.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Baseball was a sidelight for Davis in high school in New London, Conn., as his true love seemed to be playing point guard in basketball. But he continued playing baseball at a branch campus of the University of Connecticut, and the Pirates took a shot at him late in the 2001 draft. He worked his way through the farm system until landing in the major leagues last August. Davis' calling card is his great speed, which has allowed him to steal 224 bases in six minor league seasons. It also enables to cover plenty of ground in center field and to make up for mistakes when he takes bad routes. Davis led the Gulf Coast League with a .384 average in 2002, then hit better than .300 at both Class A stops. His average and plate discipline have suffered against more experienced pitchers since reaching Double-A. Davis spent the final six weeks of last season with the Pirates and didn't start a game, an indication the organization views him as a reserve outfielder long-term.
To answer the inevitable question, Davis' first name is pronounced "RAHJ-ay" and it means "king" in Sanskrit. He set an Altoona franchise record for stolen bases last season after leading the high Class A Carolina League in hitting and steals in 2004. Davis has a good feel for being a leadoff hitter, though his strikeout-walk ratio declined in 2005. He's willing to take pitches, bunt and slap the ball on the ground to get on base. He has above-average speed and seems to find another gear when he needs to beat out an infield hit or chase down fly balls into the gap. Davis needs to tighten his strike zone a little more and polish his routes in center field, though he often can make up for defensive mistakes with his speed. The Pirates have a similar player in Chris Duffy, who broke into the majors last year and likely will be their starting center fielder in 2006. Davis will spend this season in Triple-A before posing a challenge to Duffy in 2007.
Davis was a late-round draft pick who did not have much baseball experience. He has steadily improved and had a breakthrough season last year, winning the Carolina League batting title and leading the league in runs, hits and stolen bases. Davis has outstanding speed and has learned how to use it by bunting, working deep counts and becoming a good basestealer. He has good bat speed and makes consistent contact, showing more power from the left side and better contact from the right. He also plays a solid center field and has a decent arm. He doesn't have a lot of power, but his hand strength should help him find the gaps more often. Davis' routes can get sloppy in center field. He was older than most of the competition in high Class A and will get a good test this season in Double-A. If he continues to develop, he could settle in as the center fielder and leadoff hitter in Pittsburgh in 2007.

Minor League Top Prospects

The catalyst on a team that had little punch beyond slugger Brad Eldred, Davis set himself apart as the best leadoff hitter in the league this season. The Pirates have been patient with Davis, coming out of a small school in the Northeast, and that patience paid dividends, as Davis ranked first in the league in hits and stolen bases while sitting fourth in on-base percentage. He is also a plus defender, taking good routes to balls, showing an average arm and getting good jumps with plus speed. "He's a catalyst, a presence to be reckoned with--the kind of guy who can change your game plan," Lovullo said. "All he's shown this year is how he could be a terrific leadoff guy in the big leagues the way I'm sure the Pirates anticipate him to be."

Best Tools List

Rated Fastest Baserunner in the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2007
Rated Fastest Baserunner in the International League in 2006
Rated Fastest Baserunner in the Eastern League in 2005
Rated Best Baserunner in the Eastern League in 2005
Rated Fastest Baserunner in the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2005
Rated Best Strike-Zone Discipline in the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2005
Rated Fastest Baserunner in the Carolina League in 2004

Career Transactions

Acereros del Norte released CF Rajai Davis.
Acereros del Norte signed free agent CF Rajai Davis.
CF Rajai Davis elected free agency.
New York Mets selected the contract of CF Rajai Davis from Syracuse Mets.
Syracuse Mets activated CF Rajai Davis from the 7-day injured list.
Syracuse Mets placed CF Rajai Davis on the 7-day injured list.
New York Mets sent CF Rajai Davis outright to Syracuse Mets.
New York Mets designated CF Rajai Davis for assignment.
New York Mets selected the contract of CF Rajai Davis from Syracuse Mets.
New York Mets signed free agent CF Rajai Davis to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
CF Rajai Davis assigned to Syracuse Mets.
CF Rajai Davis elected free agency.
Cleveland Indians activated CF Rajai Davis from the 10-day disabled list.
Cleveland Indians sent OF Rajai Davis on a rehab assignment to Akron RubberDucks.
Cleveland Indians placed CF Rajai Davis on the 10-day disabled list retroactive to August 20, 2018. Non-baseball medical condition.
Cleveland Indians selected the contract of CF Rajai Davis from Columbus Clippers.
CF Rajai Davis assigned to Columbus Clippers.
Cleveland Indians signed free agent CF Rajai Davis to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
CF Rajai Davis elected free agency.
Boston Red Sox activated CF Rajai Davis.
Oakland Athletics traded CF Rajai Davis to Boston Red Sox for RF Rafael Rincones.
Oakland Athletics activated CF Rajai Davis from the 10-day disabled list.
Oakland Athletics placed CF Rajai Davis on the 10-day disabled list retroactive to April 22, 2017. Strained left hamstring.
Oakland Athletics signed free agent CF Rajai Davis.
CF Rajai Davis elected free agency.
Cleveland Indians signed free agent CF Rajai Davis.
CF Rajai Davis elected free agency.
Detroit Tigers activated CF Rajai Davis from the paternity list.
Detroit Tigers placed CF Rajai Davis on the paternity list.
Detroit Tigers signed free agent CF Rajai Davis.
Toronto Blue Jays activated LF Rajai Davis from the 15-day disabled list.
Toronto Blue Jays sent RF Rajai Davis on a rehab assignment to Dunedin Blue Jays.
Toronto Blue Jays placed RF Rajai Davis on the 15-day disabled list. Strained oblique.
Toronto Blue Jays activated RF Rajai Davis from the 60-day disabled list.
Toronto Blue Jays transferred CF Rajai Davis from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list.
sent OF Rajai Davis on a rehab assignment to Dunedin Blue Jays.
Toronto Blue Jays placed CF Rajai Davis on the 15-day disabled list.
Rajai Davis roster status changed by Toronto Blue Jays.
Toronto Blue Jays activated CF Rajai Davis from the 15-day disabled list.
sent RF Rajai Davis on a rehab assignment to New Hampshire Fisher Cats.
Toronto Blue Jays placed RF Rajai Davis on the 15-day disabled list. Right Ankle Injury
Oakland Athletics traded RF Rajai Davis to Toronto Blue Jays for RHP Danny Farquhar and RHP Trystan Magnuson.