Rajai Davis

Rajai Davis
Davis in 2011
Toronto Blue Jays – No. 11
Center fielder
Born: October 19, 1980 (1980-10-19) Norwich, Connecticut
Bats: Right	Throws: Right
MLB debut
August 14, 2006 for the Pittsburgh Pirates
Career statistics (through July 27, 2011)
Batting average	.274
Home runs	13
Runs batted in	155
Stolen bases	174
Teams
Pittsburgh Pirates (2006–2007) San Francisco Giants (2007–2008) Oakland Athletics (2008–2010) Toronto Blue Jays (2011–present)

Rajai Lavae Davis [RAH-jay] (born October 19, 1980) is an American professional baseball center fielder with the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball.

Davis began his career as a switch-hitter, but became a full-time right-handed hitter prior to the 2004 season. He also throws right-handed.

Early life

Davis, who is African American was born in Norwich, Connecticut on October 19, 1980. He played Little League Baseball in Willimantic, Connecticut for the Willimantic Fire Fighters. In 1991, Davis helped the Willimantic Little League All-Star Team win the District 11 championship. In 1994, Davis helped the Willimantic Senior League All-Star team to the District 11 championship, a team that reached the Connecticut State championship, losing 9-8 to South Windsor at Palmer Field in Middletown, CT.^{[citation needed]}

In 1999, Davis graduated from New London High School where he earned letters playing baseball, basketball, and football. During the summer he was a member of the New London American Legion team.^{[citation needed]}

After high school, Davis attended the University of Connecticut at Avery Point in Groton.

Professional career

Minor leagues

Davis was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 38th round (1,134th overall) of the 2001 Major League Baseball Draft as a second baseman. He had an extended minor league career, playing six full minor league seasons before making his major league debut. He achieved great success at all levels, however, with a .305 career minor league batting average to go along with 251 stolen bases in 322 chances. In addition, Davis made three consecutive All-Star appearance at three different levels of play from 2002 to 2004.

Major leagues

Pittsburgh Pirates (2006–07)

Davis made his major league debut for the Pirates on August 14, 2006, going 0-for-1 in a pinch hit appearance against the Milwaukee Brewers. He stole his first base two days later, but did not get his first major league hit for another two weeks. It came on August 29, in the form of a pinch hit double off Chicago Cubs ace Carlos Zambrano. He made his first and only defensive appearance of 2006 the next day, playing three innings in right field.

San Francisco Giants (2007–08)

Davis was traded to the San Francisco Giants with pitcher Stephen MacFarland on July 31, 2007, for Matt Morris. He made his Giants debut the next night against the Los Angeles Dodgers, stealing a base and throwing out a runner from center field. In his time with the Giants, Davis was a semi-regular in the Giants lineup, filling in for Dave Roberts or Barry Bonds whenever necessary.

On August 13, the Giants played a doubleheader in Pittsburgh, which was Davis' first time back since the trade. He started in center in both games, going a combined three-for-seven, with three doubles, two runs scored, two stolen bases, and an RBI. Additionally, in the second game, Davis made a spectacular diving catch on the warning track in left-center field.

Just three days later, he robbed Andruw Jones of a possible home run to end the game at Turner Field in Atlanta. Davis kept the ball as a souvenir. The next night, Davis hit his first career home run off Florida Marlins starter Scott Olsen.

Davis was second among the NL rookie leaders in stolen bases, with 22. The leader, Arizona's Chris Young, had 27—but also had nearly three times as many at-bats as Davis.

Oakland Athletics (2008–2010)

Davis batting for the Oakland Athletics in 2009.

On April 23, 2008, Davis was claimed off waivers by the Oakland Athletics and was added to the active roster. With Oakland in 2008, he stole 25 bases in only 196 at-bats. In 2009, Davis became the primary center fielder for the A's hit .305 with 41 stolen bases in 125 games, primarily in center field. In 2010 he also started for most of the season hitting .284 with 52 RBIs and 50 stolen bases. When Coco Crisp came back from injury, Davis switched from center to left and right field for the remainder of the season.

Toronto Blue Jays (2011-present)

Following the acquisition of David DeJesus, the Athletics traded Davis to the Toronto Blue Jays for Trystan Magnuson and Daniel Farquhar.

In a game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on August 14, Davis tore his hamstring running to first base. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list after the game. Prior to the injury, Davis ranked third in the American League in stolen bases with 34.

External links

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)