Jaylin Davis has been a pleasant surprise for the Red Sox
Jaylin Davis is making the most of his opportunity in Boston
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Entering this season, Jaylin Davis was not a household name. The Appalachian State product had appeared in 26 games in the majors and posted a .159 batting average. However, In 10 games with the Red Sox, he has been a different player. While the Red Sox have struggled since the All-Star break, Davis has been a bright spot.
Through 26 at-bats this season, Davis is hitting .348 with eight hits. In his limited action, Davis has been an on-base machine and is 1-3 in pinch-hitting situations. The twenty-eight-year-old has played various roles and excelled regardless of the situation.
Additionally, Davis has provided a boost defensively. In 49 innings of play this season, the Red Sox outfielder has not committed an error. He also has 24 putouts and recorded one of the best catches of the year less than a week ago. On August sixth in Kansas City, Michael Taylor hit a line drive to the gap in centerfield that appeared destined for extra bases. Davis came out of nowhere to make a full extension diving catch. In a series full of disappointment, he was a bright spot.
As the season winds down, Davis could see more playing time. The Red Sox’s chances of securing a playoff spot are looking grim, and 2015 draftee has contributed whenever his name is called. However, how much playing time he gets will be impacted heavily by his offense.
After hitting .333 in July, Davis has cooled off a bit in August. In seven at-bats, Davis has posted a .286 average. He also has not shown much power, as his only extra-base hit of the season came on July 26th. He would get a chance to add to that total with more playing time.
With 50 games left in the regular season, Davis only needs 19 more at-bats to tie his career high. He has not had that much time playing time since his rookie season in 2019 with the Giants, when he appeared in 17 games and posted an OBP of .255.
If the Greensboro native can continue to find success at the plate, his name will be hard to keep out of the lineup. Over the last few weeks, Davis has appeared to have found a home in the Boston outfield.
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