San Francisco Giants 2023 Player Review: J.D. Davis

2023 Stats:

144 G, 546 PA, 480 AB, .248/ .325/ .413 (.738 OPS), 18 HR, 69 RBI, 103 OPS+

Noteworthy:

Pre-All Star Break: .800 OPS, Post- All Star Break: .649 OPS; 6 Outs Above Average (90th percentile)

If you analyze J.D. Davis’s offensive performance throughout the 2023 season from March 30th to the end of September, it could be considered the worst offensive season he has had in his career. Since his breakout season with the Mets in 2019, he has never had a season with a lower OPS than .750 or a lower OPS+ than 110. Last year, Davis displayed impressive numbers in average exit velocity, barrel percentage, and hard-hit percentage. However, in 2023, his OPS dropped from .906 in April to .816 in May and .749 in June. This downward trend continued until September when he had a remarkable game in Chicago, which marked the beginning of a positive final month for him. This helped save him from having an OPS below .600 for the season. While Davis still had above-average grades in the Statcast categories mentioned earlier, he did experience significant drops. His barrel rate and hard-hit rate decreased, which affected his power throughout the season. It’s possible that Davis’s plate approach played a role in his offensive struggles. He has the ability to hit the ball with power, especially when he drives it to the middle or right field. However, in 2023, he had a higher percentage of pulled balls to the left side of the infield compared to previous years. This indicates that his swing lost some of its lift, causing him to hit more groundballs. Davis’s power decline can be attributed to his less dynamic swing, lower hard-hit and barrel rates, and the increase in groundballs. It’s uncertain whether his focus on improving his defense impacted his performance at the plate. Despite his offensive struggles, Davis’s development as a viable defensive option at third base was a crucial and unexpected development for the Giants. His ability to play both corner infield positions provided stability and flexibility throughout the season. The Giants’ offensive decline in the late summer ultimately prevented them from making the playoffs, and Davis shares some responsibility for their disappointing season. However, Davis remains an essential part of the team moving forward. He exhibited durability by leading the club in games played and plate appearances. Considering his relatively low price tag, the Giants received a good return on investment in 2023. With his offensive and defensive capabilities, Davis’s projected salary for this year seems like a steal no matter what role he takes on. He has shown his potential as a hitter and has the ability to make adjustments for a more dynamic performance at the plate. Additionally, his versatility in various positions allows him to create options for coaches and opportunities for other players. As the Giants navigate a transition period with the departure of Brandon Crawford and the emergence of new prospects, Davis’s presence will be valuable in smoothing out the infield corners in 2024. If the team’s performance falters, Davis could also become a trade piece in August, as it will be his final season before becoming a free agent.

Reference

David Rodriguez

David Rodriguez brings the excitement of Major League Baseball to readers. With a deep appreciation for America’s pastime, he covers the latest MLB news, scores, and player achievements, keeping fans up to date with their favorite teams and players.