#8 - OF Chase Davis
Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run: 50 | Arm: 60 | Field: 50 | Overall: 45
Background:
The Cardinals selected Davis with their first-round pick in 2023 out of the University of Arizona, where he featured one of the most aesthetically pleasing swings in college baseball—often drawing comparisons to Carlos Gonzalez. He slugged 39 home runs across his final two collegiate seasons and made significant strides during his junior year by tightening his contact rates and improving his approach.
Scouting Report:
Davis’ pro debut in 2023 was underwhelming, though the sample size was small (131 plate appearances) and came in the pitcher-friendly Florida State League. His quality of contact mirrored concerns scouts saw during his Cape Cod League stint, raising early questions about how well his power would translate to a wood bat environment.
After a slow start to 2024, Davis made notable mechanical adjustments—especially with his lower half—that helped unlock his swing. From the beginning of June through the end of his Single-A stint, he posted a 155 wRC+ with legitimate game power and a manageable 20.6% strikeout rate. He was finally showing flashes of the offensive potential that made him a first-round pick, with a swing that looked far more connected and explosive than earlier in the year.
Upon promotion to High-A Peoria, Davis again started slow, posting just a .076 ISO over his first 21 games. But he rebounded quickly, putting up a .324 ISO over his next nine games and earning a late-season bump to Double-A Springfield.
Davis possesses the raw power to be a legitimate home run threat, but how often he can lift and barrel the ball will ultimately define his offensive ceiling. He’s shown flashes of impact, but consistency remains a work in progress—especially important for a player whose game is built around power production.
He makes enough contact at this stage to support a power-driven profile, and while his swing decisions can become overly passive at times, he projects to run above-average walk rates.
Defensively, Davis is likely a long-term corner outfielder, but his athleticism and arm strength should allow him to be a net positive there. He’s not a burner by any means, but he moves well enough to provide versatility and handle all three spots at an adequate level.
Future:
Davis profiles as a power-driven, left-handed bat with starting upside in a corner outfield role. He’ll need to show his power more consistently to reach that ceiling, but 2024 was a step in the right direction for his development. If the bat doesn’t fully come around, he still has a path as a viable fourth/fifth outfielder who brings adequate defense, decent on-base ability, and the occasional thump from the left side.
