Chicago Cubs: A Q and A with Taylor Davis

Recently, I was lucky enough to conduct an interview with Chicago Cubs’ prospect Taylor Davis

The Chicago Cubs have a wealth of talent in their minor league system. One of those prospects looking for a shot at the majors is 27-year-old Taylor Davis. Davis began his career with the Cubs in 2011 as a member of the team’s rookie-level affiliate. In a short stint at that level, Davis proved he belonged in professional baseball. Over 11 games, Davis slashed .308/.391/.487 with ten RBI and three triples.

Following his stellar play in rookie ball, the 5-10 prospect continued to work his way through the Cubs’ farm system. In 104 games between Double-A and Triple-A in 2015, Davis slashed .311/.361/.483 with nine home runs and 43 RBI.

So far this season, Davis is off to a nice start at Triple-A Iowa. In 31 games, Davis is slashing .284/.349/.431 with three home runs and 23 RBI.

Question three –

“There is no doubt that you can play all over the diamond. If you could pick one position to be your favorite what would it be and why?”

Answer –

“I really enjoy catching, you can just affect the game in so many ways.”

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I was prompted to ask this question after I saw the many positions Davis has played throughout his minor league career. They include: first base, third base, and catcher. While Davis has logged over 1,400 innings at catcher, he has also logged over 600 innings at first base, and over 200 innings at third base during his minor league career.

This defensive versatility will fit in nicely with what the Cubs are trying to do at the major league level. Almost every Cubs regular can play at least one position other than their main one. With Davis having logged innings at three different positions, he could fast track his rise to the majors.

Despite his defensive ability, it sounds as if Davis would prefer catching over other positions. That may spell a tough road ahead for Davis as Willson Contreras seems to be holding down the job just fine at the major league level.

Question four –

“You were invited to Spring Training this year. How did it feel to get to rub shoulders with big leaguers?”

Answer –

“The last two years in big league camp were incredible. That team makes you feel at home as soon as you walk in the clubhouse. And being able to talk with some of those guys about their stories is so much fun.”

Picking the brain of proven major leaguers is very important to the success of guys that have not yet made it to the majors. For Davis, being able to do that two years in a row could prove to be vital in his success at the next level.

Question five –

“What first made you want to pick up a baseball and play?”

Answer –

“I had a ball put in my hand when I was an infant, my dad was a baseball guy and I grew up with a desire.”

There is no doubt that Davis has a desire to play baseball. Without some type of desire, he would not have made it this far in his career.

The fact that Davis’ dad loved baseball and made sure his son grew up with the same passion is an inspiring story and should make fans want to root for Taylor.

Question six –

“Who was your favorite team growing up? Favorite player?”

Answer –

“My favorite team growing up was probably the Reds and Astros. My favorite player when I was young was Edgar Martinez.”

Hopefully, Cubs fans will ignore the fact that Davis grew up a Reds fan, or that he no doubt grew up rooting against the Cubs whenever they faced the Reds or Astros. Now that he is with the Cubs, I have confidence that Davis is a fan of the North Siders first.

Growing up an Edgar Martinez fan had to have its perks. I mean, Martinez hit 309 career home runs and finished his 18-year career with an overall slash line of .312/.418/.515. Maybe, growing up watching Martinez hit home runs and bat over .300 will rub off on Davis once he reaches the majors.

Question seven –

“With the Cubs set at almost every position, do you feel like a trade may be the best thing for your career?”

Answer –

“I feel like wherever I am, I am supposed to be and that is just fine with me.”

Breaking into the majors is hard, but the Cubs have All-Star caliber talent at almost every position at the major league level. That will make it hard for Davis to break into the majors with Chicago.

Due to his defensive versatility that was mentioned earlier, Davis should be on the Cubs’ radar if something happens to an everyday player, or if a player starts slumping. Right now, including Kyle Schwarber, the Cubs have three catchers on their big league roster. Combine that with the fact the Cubs have three players that can play third base (Kris Bryant, Tommy La Stella, and Javier Baez), and Davis’ chances to make it to the majors with the Cubs look slim. Also, throw the fact that Anthony Rizzo, a Gold Glover, is at first base and Davis’ chances look even worse.

Despite all the negative things, Davis is putting together a great career. If he keeps performing the way he is, the Cubs may be forced to call-up Davis. Even if it’s just to add depth, I am sure Davis would be grateful for the opportunity and would make the most of it.

Question eight –

“What was it like to be in the Cubs organization when they ended the Championship drought? Did you celebrate?”

Answer –

“Incredible is all I can say. I celebrated with my wife a little bit.”

Perhaps, incredible is the only word to describe the Cubs’ World Series title in 2016. For the first time in 108 years, the Cubs won the World Series, and all it took was a bunch of guys just like Taylor Davis. Guys who grew up with a baseball in their hand and who have the heart and soul to play major league baseball, not to mention the talent.

For the Cubs to repeat as World Series Champions, it will take more guys with the same drive and heart. Hopefully, the Cubs can make World Series appearances a regular occurrence, with Taylor Davis playing a big part of that.

Thank you

Once again, I would like to thank Taylor Davis for taking time out of his busy schedule to answer my questions. He definitely did not have to do it, but he did and I appreciate it.

Teams are built with players like Davis who love the game of baseball and don’t care what position they are playing or where they are playing as long as they are playing somewhere.

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Guys like Taylor Davis make the game of baseball fun to watch, and I hope to see Davis (and his leg kick) in the majors real soon.

Thanks again!