Austin Davis (baseball)

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name = Austin Davis

|image = Austin Davis (29708824338) (cropped).jpg

|caption = Davis with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2018

|team = San Diego Padres

|number =

|position = Pitcher

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1993|2|3}}

|birth_place = Scottsdale, Arizona, U.S.

|bats = Left

|throws = Left

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate = June 20

|debutyear = 2018

|debutteam = Philadelphia Phillies

|statleague = MLB

|statyear = 2024 season

|stat1label = Win–loss record

|stat1value = 4–5

|stat2label = Earned run average

|stat2value = 5.77

|stat3label = Strikeouts

|stat3value = 165

|teams =

Philadelphia Phillies ({{mlby|2018}}–{{mlby|2020}})
Pittsburgh Pirates ({{mlby|2020}}–{{mlby|2021}})
Boston Red Sox ({{mlby|2021}}–{{mlby|2022}})
Minnesota Twins ({{mlby|2022}})
San Diego Padres ({{mlby|2024}})

}}

Austin Richard Davis (born February 3, 1993), nicknamed "Big Fudge", is an American professional baseball pitcher in the San Diego Padres organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, Boston Red Sox, and Minnesota Twins. He was selected by the Phillies in the 12th round of the 2014 MLB draft and made his major league debut for them in 2018.

Early life

Davis was born to Rick and Jeri Davis and grew up in Scottsdale, Arizona, where he was born.{{cite web|url=https://gorunners.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=1999|title=Austin Davis|website=GoRunners.com}} He attended Desert Mountain High School in Scottsdale, where he played baseball and was a first team All-Region and All-City.{{cite web|url=http://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/fightin-phils-reliever-starting-to-create-a-buzz |title=Fightin Phils reliever starting to create a buzz |publisher=Readingeagle.com |date= June 21, 2017|access-date=June 18, 2018}}

Davis attended California State University, Bakersfield, and he played college baseball for the Cal State Bakersfield Roadrunners and majored in business.{{cite web|url=http://www.bakersfield.com/sports/several-local-prospects-for-mlb-draft/article_d2a346d3-47c8-524c-917d-0de30d56b692.html |title=Several local prospects for MLB draft | Sports |publisher=bakersfield.com |date= June 4, 2014|access-date=June 18, 2018}} In two seasons with the Roadrunners, Davis posted a 5–10 win–loss record with a 4.56 earned run average (ERA) and 95 strikeouts over 28 appearances (28 starts).{{cite web|url=http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/profile.asp?ID=171953|title=Austin Davis|publisher=The Baseball Cube|access-date=June 20, 2018}} The Philadelphia Phillies selected Davis in the 12th round of the 2014 MLB draft.{{cite web|last=Bakersfield |first=The |url=http://www.bakersfield.com/sports/csub-pitcher-signs-with-phillies/article_f038317f-2c49-5a3a-970a-8fbd91deb357.html |title=CSUB pitcher signs with Phillies |publisher=bakersfield.com |date= June 19, 2014|access-date=June 18, 2018}}

Professional career

=Philadelphia Phillies=

==Minor leagues==

After signing, Davis made his professional debut in 2014 with the Rookie Gulf Coast League Phillies where he was 1–1 with three saves and a 2.59 ERA and 27 strikeouts in {{frac|31|1|3}} innings pitched.{{Cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/player/austin-davis-656354|title=Austin Davis Stats, Fantasy & News|website=MiLB.com}} In 2015, he played for the Single–A Lakewood BlueClaws with whom he pitched to a 5–6 record with a 3.76 ERA in 33 games (11 starts) with 81 strikeouts in {{frac|95|2|3}} innings.

In 2016, he split time between Lakewood and the High–A Clearwater Threshers. In 13 relief innings pitched for Lakewood, Davis was 1–0 with one save and 17 strikeouts and did not give up an earned run, averaging 11.8 strikeouts per 9 innings, and in {{frac|15|1|3}} innings pitched for Clearwater, he was 0–1 with one save and a 5.28 ERA with 18 strikeouts in {{frac|15|1|3}} innings, averaging 10.6 strikeouts per 9 innings. He missed the first two months of the season due to injury.

Davis spent 2017 with both Clearwater and the Double-A Reading Fightin Phils, pitching to a 6–2 record with two saves and a 2.60 ERA and 75 strikeouts in {{frac|69|1|3}} innings in 42 relief appearances between both clubs.{{cite web|url=http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?player_id=656354#/career/R/pitching/2018/ALL|title=Austin Davis Stats, Highlights, Bio – MiLB.com Stats – The Official Site of Minor League Baseball|publisher=MiLB.com|access-date=June 18, 2018}} He began 2018 with Reading and was promoted to the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs on June 1. Between the two teams, in 2018, he was 1–2 with a 2.82 ERA and 50 strikeouts in {{frac|38|1|3}} innings, averaging 11.7 strikeouts per 9 innings.

In 2019 for Lehigh Valley, Davis was 4–1 with three saves and a 2.75 ERA, in 37 relief appearances in which he pitched 52{{fraction|1|3}} innings and struck out 64 batters, averaging 11.0 strikeouts per 9 innings.{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=davis-003aus |title=Austin Davis College & Minor Leagues Statistics & History |website=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=2019-10-03}} He was an International League mid-season All Star.{{cite web|url=http://www.milb.com/player/index.jsp?player_id=656354#/career/R/pitching/2019/ALL |title=Austin Davis Stats, Highlights, Bio | MiLB.com Stats | The Official Site of Minor League Baseball |publisher=Milb.com |date= |access-date=2019-10-03}}

==Major leagues==

Philadelphia promoted Davis to the major leagues on June 18, 2018.{{cite web|url=http://www.mcall.com/sports/mc-phillies-closer-by-committee-will-not-include-neris-in-near-future-20180618-story.html |title=Phillies closer-by-committee will not include Neris in the near future – The Morning Call |publisher=Mcall.com |date=June 14, 2018 |access-date=June 18, 2018}} He made his MLB debut on June 20 against the St. Louis Cardinals.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/gameday/cardinals-vs-phillies/2018/06/20/530515#game_state=final,lock_state=final,game_tab=box,game=530515|title=Box Score-Phillies 4, Cardinals 3|date=June 20, 2018|work=MLB.com}} He was the first Cal State Bakersfield baseball player to play in Major League Baseball.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/schools/?key_school=4422ef29|title=California State University Bakersfield (Bakersfield, CA) Baseball Players|publisher=www.baseball-reference.com|access-date=June 21, 2018}} He finished the season with a 1–2 record with the Phillies, along with a 4.15 ERA and 38 strikeouts over the course of 32 appearances ({{frac|34|2|3}} innings pitched), averaging 9.9 strikeouts per 9 innings.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/davisau01.shtml|title=Austin Davis Stats|publisher=Baseball.Reference.com|access-date=October 10, 2018}}

In 2019 for the Phillies, Davis was 0–0 with a 6.53 ERA; in 14 relief appearances he pitched {{frac|20|2|3}} innings and struck out 24 batters, averaging 10.5 strikeouts per 9 innings. During 2020 with the Phillies, Davis made four relief appearances, pitching to a 21.00 ERA without registering a decision. On August 21, 2020, Davis was designated for assignment by the Phillies.

=Pittsburgh Pirates=

On August 26, 2020, Davis was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates for minor-league pitcher Joel Cesar and cash considerations.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press-release-pirates-acquire-pitcher-austin-davis-from-philadelphia|title=Pirates acquire pitcher Austin Davis From Philadelphia|work=MLB.com |date=August 26, 2020 |access-date=August 26, 2020}} Davis recorded a 2.45 ERA in five appearances for Pittsburgh through the end of the season. On February 24, 2021, Davis was placed on the 60-day injured list due to a left elbow sprain;{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/02/pirates-acquire-dustin-fowler-from-athletics.html|title=Pirates Acquire Dustin Fowler From Athletics|website=MLB Trade Rumors|date=February 24, 2021 }} he was activated on June 6.{{cite news |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/06/pirates-place-mitch-keller-on-injured-list-activate-colin-moran.html |title=Pirates Place Mitch Keller On Injured List, Activate Colin Moran |first=Anthony |last=Franco |website=mlbtraderumors.com |date=June 6, 2021}} Through July, Davis made 10 relief appearances for the Pirates and recorded a 5.59 ERA with a 0–1 record.

=Boston Red Sox=

On July 30, 2021, Davis was traded to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for infielder Michael Chavis.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/hansel-robles-austin-davis-acquired-by-red-sox|title=Red Sox add 2 'pen arms in Robles, Davis|work=MLB.com|date=July 30, 2021|accessdate=July 30, 2021}} Through the end of the regular season, Davis made 19 appearances with Boston, compiling a 1–1 record with 4.86 ERA while striking out 17 batters in {{frac|16|2|3}} innings. He returned to the Red Sox in 2022, appearing in 50 games (three starts) while compiling a 2–1 record with 5.47 ERA while striking out 61 batters in {{frac|54|1|3}} innings. On August 29, Davis was designated for assignment.{{cite news |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/08/red-sox-designate-hirokazu-sawamura-for-assignment.html |title=Red Sox Designate Hirokazu Sawamura, Austin Davis; Select Zack Kelly |first=Darragh |last=McDonald |website=mlbtraderumors.com |date=August 29, 2022 |accessdate=August 29, 2022}}

=Minnesota Twins=

On August 31, 2022, Davis was claimed off waivers by the Minnesota Twins.{{cite web |url=https://www.mlb.com/twins/roster/transactions/2022/08 |title=Twins Roster & Staff: Transactions |website=MLB.com |publisher=Minnesota Twins |date=August 2022 |accessdate=September 4, 2022}} In two relief appearances, he allowed three earned runs in {{frac|1|2|3}} innings.{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/davisau01.shtml |title=Austin Davis Stats |website=Baseball-Reference.com |accessdate=November 11, 2022}} On September 8, Davis was designated for assignment. He elected free agency after clearing waivers two days later.{{Cite web|title=Austin Davis Elects Free Agency|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/09/twins-dfa-austin-davis.html|access-date=August 19, 2023|website=mlbtraderumors.com|date=September 11, 2022 |language=en}}

=Houston Astros=

On November 16, 2022, Davis signed a minor league contract with the Houston Astros.{{Cite web |last=McDonald |first=Darragh |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/11/astros-sign-austin-davis-to-minor-league-deal.html|title=Astros Sign Austin Davis To Minor League Deal |website=MLB Trade Rumors |date=November 16, 2022}} In 20 appearances for the Triple–A Sugar Land Space Cowboys, he struggled immensely to an 11.22 ERA with 34 strikeouts in {{fraction|25|2|3}} innings pitched.{{Cite web|title=Austin Davis: Dumped by Houston|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/austin-davis-dumped-by-houston/amp/|access-date=August 19, 2023|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} He was released by the Astros organization on June 26, 2023.{{cite web | url=https://www.milb.com/player/austin-davis-656354 | title=Austin Davis Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News }}

=Lake Country DockHounds=

On August 19, 2023, Davis signed with the Lake Country DockHounds of the American Association of Professional Baseball.{{Cite web|title=2023 Transactions|url=https://aabaseball.com/transactions/|access-date=August 19, 2023|website=aabaseball.com|language=en}} In 4 starts for Lake Country, Davis posted a 1–3 record and 4.74 ERA with 28 strikeouts across 19.0 innings of work.

=San Diego Padres=

On January 31, 2024, Davis signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres.{{cite web | url=https://www.milb.com/transactions/2024-01-31 | title=Transactions }} In 29 appearances for the Triple–A El Paso Chihuahuas, he compiled a 3.10 ERA with 37 strikeouts and 8 saves across 29 innings of work. On June 28, the Padres selected Davis' contract, adding him to their major league roster.{{Cite web|title=Padres Select Austin Davis|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/06/padres-to-select-austin-davis.html|access-date=June 28, 2024|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}} In 7 appearances, he struggled to a 9.00 ERA with 6 strikeouts across 7 innings of work. Davis was designated for assignment by San Diego on July 31.{{Cite web|title=Padres Designate Austin Davis For Assignment|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/07/padres-designate-austin-davis-for-assignment.html|access-date=July 31, 2024|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}} He cleared waivers and elected free agency on August 4.{{Cite web|title=Austin Davis Elects Free Agency|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/08/austin-davis-elects-free-agency.html|access-date=August 4, 2024|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}} The next day, Davis re–signed with the Padres organization on a minor league contract.{{Cite web|title=Padres, Austin Davis Agree To Minor League Deal|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/08/padres-re-sign-austin-davis-minors.html|access-date=August 5, 2024|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}} He elected free agency following the season on November 4.{{cite web|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2024/|title=Minor League Free Agents 2024|work=Baseball America|date=November 6, 2024|accessdate=November 6, 2024|first=Matt|last=Eddy}}

On January 20, 2025, Davis re-signed with the Padres organization on a new minor league contract.{{Cite web|title=Padres Re-Sign Austin Davis To Minor League Deal|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/01/padres-re-sign-austin-davis-to-minor-league-deal.html|access-date=January 21, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}}