This spring, Chris Davis was setting Arizona on fire.
The first/third baseman, who plays both defensive positions equally well, was showing signs that he had overcome his inability to hit at the major league level.
He led the spring squad with a .741 slugging percentage and tied for the team lead with five home runs for the Texas Rangers, all while basically demanding the front office to either give him another chance in the majors or trade him so he could get a chance elsewhere.
That didn't turn out well for Davis, who didn't make the final big league roster and was sent to the Rangers' new Triple-A affiliate down in Round Rock. But he hasn't seen his production drop off.
Davis led Round Rock to a 13-9 win over Iowa on Saturday night, as he sent three balls into orbit and saw his slugging percentage on the young season climb to 1.583. Those are eye-popping numbers, regardless of competition.
No one has ever questioned Davis' glove, but has he learned how to hit? Even if he has, it's unlikely he fits on the current Rangers roster with Adrian Beltre and Michael Young at third base and Mike Napoli and Young backing up at first as well, behind Mitch Moreland, who was given the job to start the spring and has done absolutely nothing to lose it. In fact, he's been pretty great.
Is Chris Davis going to make another big league appearance in Arlington? Probably not, barring injury. But he is making himself a really nice piece in a trade because there are a lot of teams out there who would love a powerful 25-year-old with Gold Glove potential at both corner infield positions.
