Brennen Davis has been one of the top prospects in baseball for quite some time. At one point, he was ranked as highly as 15th overall among the best major league prospects, someone who was expected to play a major role for the Chicago Cubs in the future.
Since then, the 62nd overall pick in the 2018 draft has had some troubles. His latest development, back surgery that has severely cut into his 2022 season, leaves many wondering what the future holds for this promising prospect.
Back Injury
Davis had his eyes set on the major leagues entering 2022. At 22 years old, he was fresh off of a breakout pro season the year before. His mid-summer in particular – a pair of homers at the All-Star Futures Game and MVP of the event – helped catapult him to a Triple-A promotion.
In his first game at the Triple-A level, he hit home runs in each of his first two at-bats. It was looking like the sky was the limit for Davis. It wasn’t long before Davis became the top prospect in the entire Chicago organization, putting him on the precipice of making the Cubs in 2022.
He began the season with Triple-A Iowa and didn’t look himself. In 22 games, he hit just .195 with 31 strikeouts. What most people didn’t realize is that he had a back injury throughout spring training that was messing with his game.
Brennen attempted to fight through the pain, but ultimately it became too much to play through. He couldn’t sleep, let alone play up to his level. The diagnosis was also tricky and it was ultimately determined that he had a herniated disc requiring surgery.
Cubs Outfield Prospect Brennen Davis is Going on the Injured List – https://t.co/Voq5y95Sy1 pic.twitter.com/w4I5aOutHV
— Bleacher Nation (@BleacherNation) May 12, 2022
His Return
It was anticipated that the surgery would effectively end Davis’ 2022 season. He surprised some, however, by returning to the lineup at the end of August. He is still trying to find his former game but the flashes are still there.
He has had a few impressive outings to date, including reaching base three times during a September 13th game, his 8th in 9 games reaching a base. The good news is that he is healthy and it is a matter of working through the rust and getting back into rhythm with his game.
Injuries pushed back Brennen Davis' emergence as one of #MLB's most exciting prospects to 2020, only to see the coronavirus shut down the @MiLB season. Now his breakout will have to wait until '21 at the earliest, but rest assured, it's coming: https://t.co/DkMtvuL9nF #Cubs pic.twitter.com/Wr1mFnfACh
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) July 7, 2020
Scouting Report
There is a lot to love from the perspective of a scout. He has a big frame, though is a bit lanky. He could stand to add a little bulk and become a stouter. At the plate, he has strong hands and the kind of explosive bat speed that can make him dangerous every time he is at the plate.
He continues working on his pitch selection and use of the whole field, though he still does pull more balls than he should. Considered to have plus or better power, showing flashes of an explosive bat during the 2021 season. If he adds strength, he could very well add to his potential power and become a major threat at the plate.
As a fielder, he moves well, jumps well, and takes the right angles and routes that help him to cover a lot of ground defensively. He throws ropes that are mostly on target and has the kind of athleticism that allows him to slide over to the right field if necessary.
Brennen Davis has turned up the heat.
The #Cubs' No. 2 prospect collects a homer and two doubles as he reaches six times in a twinbill for Tennessee: https://t.co/bMz4bXg28N pic.twitter.com/mDkWrdd4Nd
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) August 7, 2021
Future with the Cubs and Beyond
He has slid slightly in the rankings for the Cubs but that is to be expected when someone misses the majority of a season with injury and surgery. That said, he is still one of Chicago’s best prospects by a mile.
He has some of the best tools in the entire system and was on a great trajectory prior to his injury. Now that he has had surgery and appears to be healthy, it should only be a matter of time before he is a full-timer with the Cubs.
His quick ascension from A-ball to Triple-A throughout 2021 shows the kind of player that he is and what he can be. He swings the bat well and showed off serious power during his time in Double-A in particular, bashing 13 home runs and 36 RBI in 76 games.
The question remains about how long it will take him to get back into the groove following his surgery.
His size, physical abilities, and comfort at the plate will have him with the Cubs soon, likely to start in 2023. When there, he should be a more-than-capable everyday player with the capability to be an occasional All-Star.
For a team that is looking to get back to championship contention, Davis is going to need to be an integral part of that equation. His career is still bright and the 23-year-old outfielder should be a crucial component of the Cubs’ future.
A behind the scenes look at the agonizing back pain Brennen Davis suffered through, the unusual diagnosis and why he thought he may not actually make it back in 2022. https://t.co/BvEG5i4Nvv
— Tommy Birch (@TommyBirch) September 20, 2022
Credits on a Featured Image: Minda Haas Kuhlmann on Flickr
