One Double-A swing, one Double-A homer for Cardinals' 2023 first-rounder
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In the words of Ferris Bueller, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”
In the span of approximately 15 months, Davis has called his baseball home: Tucson, Ariz; Palm Beach, Fla.; Peoria, Ill., and now, Springfield, Mo.
Five months ago, in the first week of the season, Chase Davis homered in back-to-back games for the Single-A Palm Beach Cardinals. One hundred and nine games -- and two teams -- later, he once again capped off the two homers in two straight games feat -- this time with a promotion in between.
Two nights after clubbing his third home run for the High-A Peoria Chiefs, the Cardinals’ No. 7 prospect launched his first Double-A homer on his first swing at the level in a 6-3 Springfield loss at Hammons Field.
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“I knew that pitcher wanted to get ahead with something slow,” Davis said of his approach. “That first at-bat, I know they wanted to attack and get that get-me-over curveball, but I took advantage and happened to get a good swing on it.”
While the bottom of the second inning served as Davis’s first foray into Double-A offensive production, he cut his teeth in the top of the inning in the outfield. Ranging back for a ball, he leapt on the warning track, preventing a would-be extra-base hit.
“That ball was well-hit. It was one of those fly balls where as an outfielder, you practice for all the time,” Davis said. “I was going back on the wall, much farther from the wall than I thought I was. I was still able to get the glove on it and make a play.”
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A 2023 first-round pick out of the University of Arizona, Davis has squeezed a lot into the last year and change. He began his pro career in the Florida State League, where he hit .212 in 34 games following the conclusion of his college career. He began his season there in 2024 before joining Peoria in late July. The Sacramento native tore up the Midwest League, batting .301 with a .388 OPS across 30 games. He wrapped up his tenure with a homer on Thursday night before traveling southwest to Springfield, Missouri, and picking up right where he left off.
“At the end of the day, it’s baseball. The game doesn’t change.” Davis said of his whirlwind year. “Things may get a little better at different levels, but I understand that I’ve got a job to do.”
And while the season has seemingly gone by in the blink of an eye, the 22-year-old, a longtime former MLB Develops participant, is looking forward to closing it out at Double-A and embracing final few weeks of games.
“It’s a great feeling to be at this level right now, especially at this time of year," Davis said. "But more importantly, my head is on straight and I’m focused on what we can do within the next couple weeks.”