Bedford’s Henry Davis tops MLB draft as No. 1 overall selection
BEDFORD, N.Y. (BVM) — Henry Davis was one of the lucky ones to hear his name called during the opening round of the MLB draft on Sunday. The 21-year-old didn’t have to wait long with the Pittsburgh Pirates selecting him with the No. 1 overall pick.
Davis enjoyed a breakout season in 2021, as the Louisville catcher racked up a .370 batting average with 15 home runs and 48 RBIs. With his work through the 50-game season, Davis became a finalist for the Buster Posey Award which recognizes the best catcher in college baseball. The annual powerhouse that is Louisville baseball, benefited from Davis’ stellar season, but were unable to capture a College World Series berth for just the second time under head coach Dan McDonnell.
Before his time with the Cardinals, Davis starred at Fox Lane High School, lettering as a four-year varsity player. The Bedford native would become a two-time first team all-state selection while dominating his senior year as the Foxes’ star hit for a .441 batting average with seven home runs and 32 RBIs.
With the MLB draft selection, Davis becomes the first player from Westchester County to be selected first overall since 1985 when Rye’s B.J. Surhoff was chosen by the Milwaukee Brewers with the first overall pick.
“We know he’s going to put the work in to do that,” Pirates general manager Ben Cherington told MLB.com. “He’s just a learner, how much he keeps improving and has done that since high school.”
After impressing at the plate throughout his collegiate career, Davis is looking to stick at his natural catching position. With scouts identifying his ability on the offensive end, Davis isn’t going to let his work behind the plate fall behind.
“I love to catch, I love being able to contribute every pitch,” Davis told MLB.com. “So for me, doing everything I can off the field and on the field during practice — what I do every day to be the best baseball player and the best catcher I can be — is my goal every day.”
The incoming Pirates’ catcher will join an up-and-coming farm system that includes Oneil Cruz, Quinn Priester, Liover Peguero and Nick Gonzalez, who the team drafted in last year’s draft.
