| Wade Davis | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Davis with theColorado Rockies in 2018 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1985-09-07)September 7, 1985 (age 40) Lake Wales, Florida, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| September 6, 2009, for the Tampa Bay Rays | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| September 11, 2021, for the Kansas City Royals | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 63–55 |
| Earned run average | 3.94 |
| Strikeouts | 929 |
| Saves | 141 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Wade Allen Davis (born September 7, 1985) is an American former professionalbaseballpitcher. He has played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theTampa Bay Rays,Kansas City Royals,Chicago Cubs, andColorado Rockies. Davis is a three-timeMLB All-Star. He was a member of the Royals'2015 World Series-winning team, and earned theBabe Ruth Award for his performance in the 2015MLB playoffs.
Born and raised in the small town ofLake Wales, Florida, Davis attendedLake Wales High School. After high school, Davis originally committed to attend theUniversity of Florida, but later turned down the offer to play professional baseball.[1]
TheTampa Bay Devil Rays selected Davis in the third round, with the 75th overall selection, of the2004 MLB draft. In the minors, he sported a 93–94 mphfastball, and aspike curveball.[2][3] Davis has expanded his repertoire to include atwo-seam fastball, aslider, and achangeup.[4]
Davis made his major league debut on September 6, 2009, against theDetroit Tigers. He earned ano-decision after pitching seven innings, allowing one run, with ninestrikeouts.
Davis was the July 2010 AL Rookie Pitcher of the Month, after posting a 4–0 record with a 3.03 ERA in five starts.[5]
He was named a starting pitcher onBaseball America's 2010 All-Rookie Team.[6] The Tampa Bay chapter of theBaseball Writers' Association of America also named Davis the Most Outstanding Rookie of theTampa Bay Rays for the2010 season.[7] He came in 4th in the voting for 2010AL Rookie of the Year.[8]
After two years in the Rays' starting rotation, Davis spent 2012 coming out of the Rays' bullpen and had a strong season.
On December 9, 2012, Davis was traded to theKansas City Royals (along withJames Shields andElliot Johnson) in exchange forWil Myers,Jake Odorizzi,Mike Montgomery andPatrick Leonard.[9]
Davis spent most of 2013 in the Royals' rotation and compiled a 6–10 record through the end of August. He moved to the bullpen for September 2013 and remained in the bullpen through 2014.
In 2014, Davis posted one of the most dominant seasons ever by a reliever. From June 27 to September 15, Davis did not give up a run. On September 15, his ERA was an astonishing 0.69. On September 22, 2014, Davis struck outYan Gomes for his 104th strikeout of the season, breaking the Royals record for most strikeouts by a relief pitcher, which was 103 and had been shared byJim York (1971) andGreg Holland (2013). Davis finished the regular season with a 9–2 record, a 1.00 ERA and an AL-best 33holds. He struck out 109 batters and walked 23 in 72 innings, and did not give up a home run. This dominance continued through the postseason, with Davis posting a 2–0 record, 0.63 ERA, and 20 strikeouts and two walks in14+1⁄3 innings.
In 2015, Davis continued his dominance in the bullpen, pitching almost exclusively in the 8th inning, much like 2014. On August 1, Davis' homerless streak ended at125+2⁄3 innings, giving up a home run to theBlue Jays'José Bautista. His streak was the second longest in Royals history, and the longest such streak by a reliever.[10] On September 22, Davis was selected by managerNed Yost as the Royals' new closer, as the Royals announced thatGreg Holland was done for the year and possibly all of 2016 due to pendingTommy John surgery.[11] On October 23, Davis forced Blue Jays slugger and 2015American League MVPJosh Donaldson to ground out toMike Moustakas at third base, which was the final out to secure the Royals' second consecutiveAmerican League Championship Series title.[12] Davis later recorded the final three outs of the2015 World Series, as the Royals defeated theNew York Mets in five games.
In the2015 MLB postseason, Davis went 1-0 and earned four saves in four opportunities. He struck out 18 batters while allowing no earned runs over10+2⁄3 innings pitched. This performance earned him the 2015Babe Ruth Award, recognizing Davis as the most valuable player in the MLB postseason.
On July 5, Davis was placed on the 15-day disabled list due to a right forearm strain.[13] On November 4, 2016, the Royals picked up Davis's option for the 2017 season.[14]
On December 7, 2016, the Royals traded Davis to theChicago Cubs forJorge Soler.[15] Davis was selected as the only Cub representative to the2017 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. He gave up a game-winning tenth inning home run toRobinson Canó.[16]
On August 29, 2017, Davis set the Chicago Cubs franchise record with his 27th consecutive save.[17]
In Game 5 of the2017 National League Division Series, he tied a Division Series record with 3 saves which tiedAroldis Chapman. But he tied a record by getting one in each of his 3 opportunities; matchingDennis Eckersley's feat in the1996 National League Division Series.
Davis signed a three-year, $52 million contract with theColorado Rockies on December 29, 2017.[18]
In his first season in Colorado, Davis led the NL in saves with 43. He ended the season with a 4.13 ERA, his highest ERA since 2013. He struck out 78 batters in65+1⁄3 innings.
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He was placed on the disabled list on May 22, 2019, with a left oblique injury.[19] He was removed from the closer role on August 2. At the end of the season, Davis put out the worst season of his career, posting a 8.65 ERA in 50 games. In42+1⁄3 innings, he struck out 42 batters while inducing 29 walks.
On December 21, 2019, he was named as one of the two closers for All-Decade second team of 2010's withKenley Jansen.[20]
Davis began the shortened season as the Rockies closer, but after blowing a save in his 3rd appearance, he was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right shoulder strain. After being activated from the IL on September 12th, Davis surrendered 5 runs in 1.2 innings over 2 appearances. On September 19, 2020, Davis was designated for assignment by the Rockies. He had allowed 10 runs in under 5 innings.[21] Davis was released by the Rockies on September 21.[22]
On January 20, 2021, Davis signed a minor league contract with theKansas City Royals organization.[23] On March 28, 2021, Davis was selected to the 40-man roster.[24]Davis pitched in 40 games for the Royals in 2021, going 0–3 with a 6.75 ERA and 38 strikeouts. He became a free agent following the season.
On November 24, 2021, Davis announced his retirement.[25]
As a starter, Davis threw five pitches (four-seamfastball,cut fastball,curveball,slider andchangeup). As a relief pitcher, he has relied primarily on three pitches: a four-seam fastball in the 95–98 MPH range (topping out at 99 MPH), a cut fastball that averages 92–93 MPH, and aknuckle curve in the mid-80s that he started throwing in 2013.[26]
Davis is the second-cousin of former Major League Baseball playerJody Davis.[27]Wade Davis married long-time girlfriend, Katelyn Casey, in November 2009 in her hometown ofMarlboro, New York. The couple has two children and three dogs.
The couple run a non-profit organization called "Full Kount", which benefits children age 18 and younger who use sports as a positive influence in their lives.
