Chris Davis Tracker: Looking A Lot Like 2018

After an awful 2018 season, we’ll track Chris Davis performance this season. Slackie Brown’s goal for him is to hit over .200; that’s not a great achievement but it’s a lot better than .168.

One of the biggest question marks for the Baltimore Orioles this season is Chris Davis, and if he can bounce back after a putrid 2018 season. This spring, he didn’t inspire too much confidence — 19 strikeouts in 37 at-bats; .189 BA — but there was still hope that he could maybe hit like .240 with a bunch of dingers. Or, at the very least, put the ball in play more than he did last season.

Well, after one game, Davis has Baltimore Orioles fans SMH’ing all over again. On Opening Day, the big lefty struck out all three times he stepped to the plate before Renato Nunez pinch-hit for him in the top of the ninth. Nunez, it should be noted, did something Davis couldn’t in his lone at-bat; he put the ball in play.

Three strikeout games are nothing new to Chris Davis but his Opening Day trio was super ugly, especially his first two ABs.

Exhibit A: His First AB

Going up against righty Masahiro Tanaka, Davis actually worked a 3-0 count in his first trip to the plate. If you’ve played any serious baseball before, you know this is the best position you can be in. Davis, however, took two strikes immediately after on the outside corner before swinging through a splitter down the pipe. That’s ugly at any level.

Exhibit B: His Second AB

After fouling off a few Tanaka pitches, Davis found himself in a 2-2 count. Unfortunately, he chased some high cheese on the next pitch, forcing the walk of shame for the second time in two attempts.

Facing another righty in his third AB, Davis’ didn’t last long. He went down on four Adam Ottavino pitches, with the veteran reliever working Davis up in the zone. No contact this time, just a backward K on a 93 mph fastball.

I am rooting for Chris Davis, I promise. He just needs to get some swagger back. Slumps, and I’ve personally been through many, are mostly mental. His, unfortunately, has lasted a long time. It’s only one game but as the highest-paid player, you’ve gotta force the issue and put pressure on the defense.

We’ll check back on Davis’ performance in a few days. By then, hopefully, there are some highlights to throw in.

Chris Davis Tracker:
AB: 3
H: 0
HR: 0
K: 3
BA: .000
OPS: .000

Baltimore lost 7-2 to New York today.