- Full name Jon Clifton Davis
- Born
- Profile Throws: R
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Jimmy Barthmaier wasn't the only top quarterback recruit that Houston signed away from college football in 2003. After leading Eupora High to the Mississippi 2-A finals in baseball and football, Davis was ticketed for the University of Alabama--where former baseball prospects Brody Croyle and Spencer Pennington are one-two on the quarterback depth chart. The Astros changed Davis' mind with a $200,000 bonus. Because he hadn't received much instruction or focused on baseball in the past, he's raw. He'll take considerable time to refine, but he is a strong athlete with a classic pitcher's body (6-foot-6, 215 pounds) and the opportunity for two plus pitches. Davis won two games in five days to give Eupora the state baseball title, leaving him worn out by the time he signed. His velocity dipped from 92-94 mph in the spring to 86-89 mph, but Houston expects the velocity and rising life on his fastball to return. He also shows a hard, knee-buckling curveball at times and has a decent feel for a changeup. Davis' command was off during his pro debut at Rookie-level Martinsville, and the Astros will try to improve his mechanics. He has a funky delivery, throwing from a three-quarters arm slot and holding the ball close to his head. While he needs a lot of innings and a lot more consistency, his ceiling is high. He'll report to extended spring in April, and to either Tri-City or the organization's relocated Rookie-level Appalachian League team in Greeneville, Tenn., in June.