SARASOTA, Fla. — Noah Davis came within one pitch of delivering the best start for a Pirates pitcher this spring.
Although it didn’t end the way he wanted, Davis was able to reaffirm belief in himself, as well as his decision this offseason to sign with the Pirates. He also entered his name into the ongoing conversation involving pitching depth.
A non-roster invitee and a Minor League free agent the Pirates signed on Jan. 5, Davis struck out five over 4 2/3 innings that were nearly scoreless, spoiled by a three-run homer from Taylor Ward during a 7-2 Pirates loss to the Orioles at Ed Smith Stadium.
Until that at-bat, the 28-year-old righty turned heads by delivering a gem of an outing.
It was certainly better than he had pitched in two games with the Pirates while offering a distinct improvement over the 9.53 ERA Davis had compiled over 62 1/3 innings during parts of four MLB seasons.
“Just working ahead,” Davis said of what gave him success against Baltimore. “Getting that count leverage puts them on their heels a little bit and gives me the advantage.
“Really liked how Joey [Bart] was setting up back there, giving me a nice, big target. Kept it in-zone early, worked ahead and got to my off-speed stuff.”
After needing just 17 pitches to navigate the first two innings, Davis struck out the side in the third on a curveball and two sweepers.
The success continued into the fourth, as Davis opened with a strikeout of Ward looking on a sinker. But then Davis encountered his first bit of turbulence.
It started with catcher Adley Rutschman’s high-bouncer that resulted in a single. Then Davis walked first baseman Pete Alonso. No problem. But a harmless flyout from designated hitter Ryan Mountcastle and right fielder Heston Kjerstad’s soft grounder extinguished the threat.
"He was locked in," Bart said. "Using both sides of the plate. ... The sinker's a really good pitch. We kind of rode that, and he spins it really, really well. Just trying to rely on his strengths. He spins the ball like that, there's a lot of swing and miss. He was in the zone and he put away guys when he needed to."
Davis said he chose the Pirates this offseason due to their reputation with pitching development. Since arriving in Bradenton, the Pirates tweaked his sinker grip to add depth while encouraging Davis to experiment with various changeup grips. The idea is to have something to get lefties out and hopefully pitch deeper into games.
That part is still a work in progress, but Davis has seemingly found enough with his revamped sinker and sharp spin pitches, specifically a curveball and sweeper.
“If you look around the clubhouse, there’s an embarrassment of riches,” Davis said. “They gave me the opportunity to stretch out and be a starter or multi-inning reliever, which I think suits my strengths a little bit better.
“I wasn’t too familiar with a lot of the people over here. Just was kind of going off reputation. So far it has exceeded my expectations. It’s been absolutely awesome.”
In 11 innings split between the Dodgers and Twins last season, Davis allowed 22 earned runs, including seven home runs. His performance against the Orioles showcased a different guy, demonstrating why the Pirates gave Davis a chance.
Unfortunately the outing did end on a sour note when Ward connected on a 2-1 cutter that Davis left up. There was also some controversy regarding the preceding hitter, shortstop Jose Barrero.
Initially it looked like Davis got Barrero to hit a tapper off the handle of his bat for an easy out. But home-plate umpire Ben May ruled the pitch hit Barrero, extending the inning.
“I’m not sure exactly what happened there,” Davis said.
It didn’t detract from the start, which seems to happen with every team every spring. A pitcher with a new team tweaks some things and discovers a new version of himself.
Davis isn’t on the 40-man roster, so it’s an uphill climb. But chances are more people will know about him and what can do after Wednesday’s outing, where he worked 4 2/3 innings and allowing three hits, one walk and hit a batter.
“My mentality was to go out there and show that I could fill up the strike zone, mix my pitches and get back to who I am as a pitcher,” Davis said. “It’s been a few years since I’ve been allowed to start and pitch the way that I grew up pitching and would prefer to pitch. I just want to go out there and be the best version of myself that I can.”
Progress for Bart
In Joey Bart’s first at-bat, he fought out of a 1-2 count by lining an outside slider into left field for a single. That represented just hit second hit in 19 spring at-bats at the time.
Bart’s second plate appearance was even more impressive, as he smoked a 2-2 sinker from Orioles starter Kyle Bradish to shortstop at 112.1 mph. Barrero robbed Bart with a leaping grab.
Nevertheless, it was a strong showing at the plate from Bart, who had a .799 OPS in 2024 — his first season with the Pirates — but has been trying this spring to get more consistent when it comes to driving the ball in the air.
More than pitch selection or swing decisions, both of which were solid for Bart last season, he beat too many balls into the ground. Wednesday represented an important step forward.
"I don't really rely too heavily on the results, but getting the barrel to a couple balls is good," Bart said. "Just trying to chip away at the right things every day and leave the results out of it."
Smart challenge & more
Along with a few strong at-bats, Bart helped out minor league pitcher Tyrone Yulie by successfully challenging a call on Rutschman, resulting in a strikeout to end the fifth.
Bart said he’s been judicious in his use of the challenge system, typically sticking to pitches that could result in a strikeout or otherwise carry additional impact. The changeup from Yulie apparently met the criteria.
"[Yulie] threw a disgusting pitch that I did not think was going to start there, and it clipped the front corner," Bart said. "Rutschman was as fooled as I was. Luckily I got to tap my hat, and we got out of there."
The offensive highlight for the Pirates was Nick Cimillo homering in the ninth. ... Justin Lawrence delivered another scoreless inning, striking out two. ... Jhostynxon Garcia collected another hit, improving his average to .500 (12 for 24) in Grapefruit League action.