New York Mets release former SF Giants, Red Sox power-hitting outfielder

The New York Mets released former SF Giants and Boston Red Sox outfielder Jaylin Davis earlier this week, making him a free agent.

The New York Mets released former SF Giants and Boston Red Sox outfielder Jaylin Davis on Sunday. The Mets signed Davis to a minor-league contract last offseason, but he struggled to put the ball in play consistently and hit just .216/.333/.437 with 95 strikeouts in 318 plate appearances between their Single-A and Triple-A affiliates. Not long ago, Davis was an exciting prospect in the Giants' organization who seemed like a piece of their future core.

SF Giants outfielder Jaylin Davis hits a solo home run against the Dodgers. (2020)

Davis was drafted by the Twins in the 24th round of the 2015 MLB Draft out of Appalachian State. Davis had been considered a far better prospect but fell because of an injury that limited him during his final college season. An athletic outfielder with plenty of power potential, Davis was solid in the lower minors before exploding for a career year in 2019. Between the Twins Double-A and Triple-A affiliates, Davis hit 20 doubles and 25 home runs in 99 games. 

With his stock at an all-time high, the Twins packaged Davis with Prelander Berroa and Kai-Wei Teng at the trade deadline. Minnesota traded the trio of prospects to the Giants for right-handed reliever Sam Dyson.

In 27 games with the Giants Triple-A affiliate following the trade, Davis hit .333/.419/.686 with 10 home runs and was quickly promoted to the big leagues. However, he struggled mightily, hitting .167/.255/.238 in 47 plate appearances before he suffered an injury that forced him to the injured list for the rest of the season. Despite his struggles at the plate, Davis had only struck out 11 times in his first big-league stint, which seemed promising.

The following year, Davis made the Giants' Opening Day roster and hit a home run in 12 plate appearances but was demoted back to the minors after striking out 6 times. Since there was no minor-league baseball in the pandemic-shortened season, Davis did not have a chance to continue posting videogame numbers at Triple-A.

Davis received 9 MLB plate appearances in 2021 but had his season mostly derailed by injuries. With the Giants outfield flush with talent during the team's 107-win campaign, Davis fell down the depth chart. Granted, even in a down year, he still had a .503 slugging percentage with 13 home runs in 53 Triple-A games.

Without a clear role, the Giants designated Davis for assignment in April of 2022. He was claimed off waivers by the Boston Red Sox. For the first time in his career, Davis struggled offensively at Triple-A with the Red Sox, posting the worst triple-slash of his minor-league career (.647 OPS). Boston, though, had such a depleted group of outfielders that Davis received a late-season call-up anyway. He once again struggled to put the ball in play, striking out 11 times in 27 plate appearances but did manage a .333/.407/.375 triple-slash anyway.

Now 29, it's hard to believe that Davis is on the cusp of fully capitalizing on his tantalizing potential. However, he remains an above-average outfield defender with plus power. While he was far from the best version of himself this season, Jaylin Davis was still nearly a league-average hitter at Triple-A. It's worth wondering if he could benefit from an opportunity abroad in the KBO or NPB like other past power-hitting prospects who struggled to find their footing in the majors like former first baseman Eric Thames and former SF Giants middle-of-the-order staple Darin Ruf.