Zach Davis, 31, started 18 games for the Arizona D-backs last season, posting a 7.00 ERA, 4.58 FIP, 39 walks (4.26 BB/9), 72 Ks (7.87 K/9), and batting average. He hit .295/.370. /.461 line vs. 82 1⁄3 Number of innings pitched.
Davis has started 200 games in nine major league seasons, posting a 4.36 ERA, 4.48 FIP, and a .262/.326/.426 batting average.
He agreed to a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals this weekend and is currently scheduled to join the team in spring training.
Speaking to reporters Saturday afternoon in West Palm Beach, Fla., manager Davey Martinez reiterated what he said the day before: “We don’t really have enough weapons here.”
Reading material:
“But here’s a guy who’s been very competitive in his career and understands how to push people out,” he continued. “He knows himself really well. He’s not a player who throws 100 miles per hour, but he’s very effective and we liked him, so we gave him here. We want to give him a chance to come and stretch out a little bit and see where he’s at.”
Davis threw just 32.5% sinkers in 2023, the lowest sinker percentage of his career, and while he still leaned more into pitches than any other pitch, His batting average was .381, up from .268 in 2022 to .305. He hit .264 in ’21 and .264 in 2020.
His sinker velocity was up from 2022, but in doing its due diligence, the club noticed some glaring issues with Davis last year.
“Looking back, a lot of his mistakes were just mistakes,” Martinez said.
“So we’re going to hopefully get him to be more in tune with what he’s been doing before, not be afraid to throw the ball over the plate, throw strikes, just push forward a little bit.” ‘And we’ll see how that goes for him.’
Like other veterans the club signed this offseason, Martinez told reporters he hopes Davis is a player other pitchers in the organization can learn from just by watching him work. He said he was there.
Source: The Nationals signed starter Zach Davis to a minor league contract with an invite to major league camp.
Davis, 31, has been in MLB for nine years and has a 4.36 ERA. He spent the past two seasons with the Diamondbacks.
— Andrew Golden (@andrewcgolden) February 17, 2024
“Some of our younger players could really learn from him. His stuff was good, he didn’t throw hard, but he was a guy who was really good and banging the strike zone. ”
And also…you can never have enough arms.
“What our starters did last year was incredible, it really was,” Martinez said. [eight] A year-round starter. So you want to make sure you’re covered in case something happens.and bring a man like [Davies] — a player who has done really well throughout his career — I’m happy to have him. So he’s going to be here, I’m hoping he’ll be here by Sunday, get a physical on Monday and then we’ll move him around and see how he’s doing. ”
The latest minor league deal was announced a day after the Nationals added Jacob Burns to the roster in West Palm Beach on another minor league deal.
Veteran outfielder Jesse Winker was also signed.
Jesse Winker always enjoyed playing in DC as a visitor. So when the opportunity arose to sign with the Nationals this week, the veteran outfielder said yes without hesitation. https://t.co/ijHl6sK0YB
— Mark Zuckerman (@MarkZuckerman) February 17, 2024
Martinez said he was pleased to see more depth in the organization this spring training.
“It definitely, definitely helps,” Martinez explained. “And I’m glad we can go out there… [signing free agents].know [GM Mike Rizzo] And our analytical staff…we are always striving for improvement. And secondly, there are people who can help us. He’s a guy we’ve played against, we know. When he’s good, he can be really good. ”
