“I was going to choose between Texas and ASU,” said the 6-4 194 Davis who ranked as the 18th best national high school prospect by Baseball America. “I didn’t mind playing out of state. I chose ASU because I liked the campus, I’ve been hanging around the players at ASU, and they’re really cool. It just seemed like a good place to go to college. The coaches are really cool too especially coach Sferra. Coach Murphy doesn't lie to you; he’s like my dad in a certain way. I’ve been going to games since I was 14, and I just want to win a national championship in my home state.”
Davis, who won the state’s 4A Championship the last two years, stated that he has been recruited by the Sun Devils since his freshman year. “They stuck with me through the good times and bad times,” he recalled. Bad times may be too strong of a description for a player that has a mile long list of accolades, but he admits that: “They’ve been slumps here and there (smile). I’m lucky to have family and friends that always supported me.”
One of his major supporters was naturally his father Ron, who played 481 games in the majors for the likes of the Yankees, Twins, Dodgers, Giants, and Cubs.
“My dad wanted me to go to ASU so he could watch my games,” Davis remarked. “I wouldn’t be the baseball player I am without my dad. Whenever I have trouble with something, he tells me what to do and he gets me through it.” When asked about possibly following in his father’s footsteps, the All-American exhibited a great deal of humility.
“I haven’t gotten to his level yet,” he said. “It’s gonna be tough. But it’s something to look forward to. Hopefully I can get as far as he did, and have the career he had. I’m off to a good start...”
Davis lists mental focus as one of his strengths. On that same token, he says that success has never consumed or adversely affected him. “My friends make sure it doesn't get to my head (smile),” he quipped. “I’m a pretty humble. I don’t talk much baseball with my friends.”
The ASU signee indicated that the coaches do want to play him to play both pitcher and a first baseman, a task which he’s confident he can handle. Davis, who hit .425 as a junior, lists his fastball, clocked at its peak at 91mph as his best pitch, ahead of his changeup, and slider.
Now that recruiting has come to an end, Davis, who reportedly is fully qualified, will embrace the less hectic lifestyle. “It does take a load of your chest,” he said. “Talking to coaches everyday, getting letters, filling out forms…now I know I don’t have to do that anymore. Now I have more time to think about what I need to do to have a good senior season.”
While the pitcher and first baseman may breathe a sigh of relief, the Sun Devils aren’t likely to do the same until Davis bypasses the chance to embark on a professional career and forgo college. “If that happens it happens,” he said. “I’m concentrating on my senior season. I haven’t thought about what round do I need to get picked to not play in college. I’m not really looking forward to that.”
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