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University of Minnesota Athletics
Transfer Pitcher Davis Joins Gophers for 2020 Campaign
12/20/2018 10:03:00 AM | Baseball
MINNEAPOLIS – The Gopher Baseball team and head coach John Anderson can announce the addition of transfer right-handed pitcher Drake Davis. Davis will be eligible for the 2020 season.
The 6-foot-1-inch, 185-pound Davis joins Minnesota after beginning his collegiate career at Arizona State as one of the most heavily-recruited right-handers in the country following an impressive prep career at Ralston Valley Senior High School in Arvada, Colorado. He racked up 119 career strikeouts in 85 innings, while allowing opponents to hit just .191 during his high school career. A two-way player, he batted .353 in his junior season, collecting 26 RBIs, seven doubles, and a pair of home runs while leading the Mustangs to a 2016 Colorado Class 5A State Quarterfinal berth.
Prior to ASU, Davis was selected in the 38th round of the 2017 MLB Draft by the Colorado Rockies. As a senior, he ranked as the no. 8 overall player and no. 6 right-handed hurler in Colorado, as well as the no. 117 righty in the nation according to Prep Baseball Report. Perfect Game tabbed him as the state's no. 7 overall player and no. 4 right-hander and named him a top-500 player and top-250 pitcher nationally. The 2016 Perfect Game USA Preseason Underclass All-American and 2017 Rawlings Honorable Mention All-American also earned a spot on the Region's West First Team.
"In conjunction with the coaching and support staffs, I look forward to mentoring and supporting Drake in a manner that will allow him to align his personal values with the Gopher Baseball culture as we help prepare him for the next 50 years of his journey," said head coach John Anderson. "Our goal is to help him get re-centered as a Division I student athlete so he can give his best effort in the daily process, allowing him to accomplish his academic and athletic goals and develop into an independent, critical thinker who can leave this University and achieve great things. Throughout his baseball career, Drake has competed at a high level and we believe he will contribute significantly to our success on the field in future seasons.
The son of Sue and Mark Davis plans to attend the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota while joining the Gophers on the mound next spring.
Davis on why he chose Minnesota: "I chose to play baseball at the University of Minnesota because of the culture created by both the coaches and players. The balance between education, relationships and baseball was a point of difference for me. I am a big believer that you are who you surround yourself with, and I am proud to be a part of The University of Minnesota baseball program."
Assistant Coach Patrick Casey on Drake Davis: "There's one word you can use to describe Drake and that's 'electric.' When he gets on campus you are going to see a high-energy, hard-working and immensely-talented right-handed pitcher that has the ability be a front-end guy very early in his career. One of the more highly sought-after arms in the country during the recruiting period, Drake has an incredibly quick arm that can sit anywhere from 90-94 [miles per hour] with a 'plus' breaking ball and most importantly his competitive drive that is second to none. In addition to his on-field pedigree, he's a highly competent and successful student that is going to excel at the Carlson School of Management and in the Minneapolis community. The University of Minnesota and Golden Gopher Baseball family is getting the highest grade of character and ability in Drake Davis and we couldn't be more happy to welcome him and his family into our program for the next 50 years."
Gopher Baseball season tickets are available now! The Maroon & Gold return to campus on Friday, March 29 against Nebraska. This 21-game package includes Minnesota's game against Oklahoma at Target Field on Saturday, April 20. Click here to purchase yours today.
The 6-foot-1-inch, 185-pound Davis joins Minnesota after beginning his collegiate career at Arizona State as one of the most heavily-recruited right-handers in the country following an impressive prep career at Ralston Valley Senior High School in Arvada, Colorado. He racked up 119 career strikeouts in 85 innings, while allowing opponents to hit just .191 during his high school career. A two-way player, he batted .353 in his junior season, collecting 26 RBIs, seven doubles, and a pair of home runs while leading the Mustangs to a 2016 Colorado Class 5A State Quarterfinal berth.
Prior to ASU, Davis was selected in the 38th round of the 2017 MLB Draft by the Colorado Rockies. As a senior, he ranked as the no. 8 overall player and no. 6 right-handed hurler in Colorado, as well as the no. 117 righty in the nation according to Prep Baseball Report. Perfect Game tabbed him as the state's no. 7 overall player and no. 4 right-hander and named him a top-500 player and top-250 pitcher nationally. The 2016 Perfect Game USA Preseason Underclass All-American and 2017 Rawlings Honorable Mention All-American also earned a spot on the Region's West First Team.
"In conjunction with the coaching and support staffs, I look forward to mentoring and supporting Drake in a manner that will allow him to align his personal values with the Gopher Baseball culture as we help prepare him for the next 50 years of his journey," said head coach John Anderson. "Our goal is to help him get re-centered as a Division I student athlete so he can give his best effort in the daily process, allowing him to accomplish his academic and athletic goals and develop into an independent, critical thinker who can leave this University and achieve great things. Throughout his baseball career, Drake has competed at a high level and we believe he will contribute significantly to our success on the field in future seasons.
The son of Sue and Mark Davis plans to attend the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota while joining the Gophers on the mound next spring.
Davis on why he chose Minnesota: "I chose to play baseball at the University of Minnesota because of the culture created by both the coaches and players. The balance between education, relationships and baseball was a point of difference for me. I am a big believer that you are who you surround yourself with, and I am proud to be a part of The University of Minnesota baseball program."
Assistant Coach Patrick Casey on Drake Davis: "There's one word you can use to describe Drake and that's 'electric.' When he gets on campus you are going to see a high-energy, hard-working and immensely-talented right-handed pitcher that has the ability be a front-end guy very early in his career. One of the more highly sought-after arms in the country during the recruiting period, Drake has an incredibly quick arm that can sit anywhere from 90-94 [miles per hour] with a 'plus' breaking ball and most importantly his competitive drive that is second to none. In addition to his on-field pedigree, he's a highly competent and successful student that is going to excel at the Carlson School of Management and in the Minneapolis community. The University of Minnesota and Golden Gopher Baseball family is getting the highest grade of character and ability in Drake Davis and we couldn't be more happy to welcome him and his family into our program for the next 50 years."
Gopher Baseball season tickets are available now! The Maroon & Gold return to campus on Friday, March 29 against Nebraska. This 21-game package includes Minnesota's game against Oklahoma at Target Field on Saturday, April 20. Click here to purchase yours today.
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