Who Is Chris Davis?

It’s been Chris Davis this and Chirs Davis that when it comes to the Baltimore Orioles this year. Would you believe me if I told you that he’s been in the league for 7 years now? Why hasn’t anyone talked about him before? 

Because he’s had the biggest jump in statistics since Melky Cabrera last year. I’m not saying he’s on steroids, I’m just saying that Davis is a much improved player. In his earlier years he has hit plenty for power, including hitting 21 homers in 2009. But he never could do that much otherwise besides strike out, and it didn’t seem like he progressed. That’s why in 2011 the Texas Rangers traded him to the Orioles. 

Last year he batted .270/.326/.501 with 33 homers and 85 RBI’s. Apparently he also pitched two innings. That’s actually not that bad, but not good enough to be a quality starter (note: his Wins Above Replacement was only 1.6, and a 2 or higher is a quality starter). He struck out 169 times last year, a track he’s on pace for this year as well. 

But the past is the past. His stats now are almost better than Miguel Cabrera’s. He’s batting .330/.404/.709, with 73 RBI’s and a league leading 28 homers. His batting average going up 60 points just sounds like steroid abuse. Here are three reasons why that might not be the case:

1.      On Base Percentage: Billy Beane would love him, because he can get on base. He’s walked 33 times this year, which is better than his 37 from last year. He’s been much more patient with the ball and is finding his right pitch to either take out of the ball park, or decides just to take a walk. It might be time for teams to start intentionally walking him, which would boost his OBP even more.

2.      Strength: Look at a picture of him, the guy has always been jacked. For every 10 at-bats, Davis will hit a home run. He also has 24 doubles, which would be a league leader if his teammate Manny Machado wasn’t cranking double after double. 

3.      Prime: Davis is 27 years old, and many players reach their prime at this moment. His stats last year show that he can improve but can still put up good numbers. This year proves that. He could be a solid hitter for the next five to ten years.

Chris Davis is set to hit about 58 home runs this year, which would break Brady Anderson’s team record of 50 home runs. That won’t come close to Barry Bonds' 2001 year when he hit 71 homers, though. I also mentioned Manny Machado for the Orioles before: he’s on track to hit 80 doubles, which would be a record. 

Watch out for the Orioles’ offense. If it wasn’t for their poor pitching, they’d be the best team in the league. And watch out for Chris Davis, he is the only one that can beat Miguel Cabrera from winning a second Triple Crown.

Email me at statsbuddy42@gmail.com for any questions/comments/concerns.

 

-Evan Boyd