Rajai Davis

2013

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2012

Davis was slowed by an ankle injury in April and saw his season cut short with a torn hamstring in August but still managed to steal 34 bases in just 95 games. He was effective in stealing bases while in the lineup, but his .238 average and .273 on-base percentage simply weren't good enough to keep him in the lineup consistently. He's expected to make a full recovery this winter, but will enter the season with some competition for at-bats in left field with Eric Thames and Travis Snider, so he may be relegated to a reserve role.

2011

Davis cashed in on his stolen-base potential shown the year prior, stealing 50 bases on the season, but was slowed in early June and was limited on the basepaths thereafter (22 steals in his first 49 games; just 28 in his final 94 games). Traded to the Blue Jays, he's expected to be part of the everyday lineup on a team that finished the year last in the AL in stolen bases (just 58 on the year, and nearly 100 fewer than the A's). It remains to be seen if Davis will be given the green light as often in his new environs.

2010

Davis emerged as an everyday player following Matt Holliday's trade to St. Louis and responded with 26 steals over the final two months. He doesn't walk enough (just 29 walks in 390 at-bats) to be an asset as a pure leadoff hitter, but the A's fell in love with his speed atop the order as the season progressed and he seems destined to begin the year in the same role. He was one of just five players with 40-plus steals in the AL last year and did so in just 390 at-bats. The A's aren't allergic to the stolen base as they were years ago in the Moneyball heyday, and there's a real chance that Davis could swipe 60 bases if he gets 500 at-bats as expected.

2009

Davis swiped 25 bases in 100 games after being acquired from the Giants, though his time in the A's starting outfield figures to be limited with Matt Holliday's acquisition and a healthy (for now) Travis Buck to begin the year. Davis will still see ample opportunity to run with Jack Cust clogging the bases in the late innings, so don't forget about him when the endgame rolls around and you're looking for steals.

2008

Davis came over from Pittsburgh when the Giants traded Matt Morris. Since the Giants shed a terrible contract, San Francisco came away winners regardless of Davis' production. But his .363 OBP and terrific defense was icing on the cake. Blessed with blazing speed, Davis swiped 17 bags in just 142 at-bats while with the Giants. However, he offers very little power with the stick, so he's best utilized as a fourth outfielder. For 2008, expect Davis to start over Dave Roberts against left-handers and whenever the veteran succumbs to the inevitable injury.

2007

Davis has speed to kill and a first name that means "the king" in Sanskrit. The 26-year-old center fielder also got his first taste of major-league action in 2006, going 2-for-14 with one stolen base in four attempts. If the Pirates gave him a chance he could easily steal 20 bases -- Davis finished second in the International League with 45 steals in 58 attempts. Unless the Pirates face a series of injuries in the outfield, Davis is unlikely to see much time in the major leagues.

2006

The Pirates protected Davis on their 40-man roster because he possesses blazing speed. Considered old for Double-A, Davis batted .288 in 499 at-bats with Altoona in 2005, stealing 45 bases in 54 attempts. A fractured right hand ended his season prematurely in August. Prior to his injury, Davis was ticketed for a September call-up and headed to the Arizona Fall League. In five minor-league seasons, he's averaged 36 stolen bases to go along with a .308 batting average. The speedy center fielder has never played above Double-A, and will likely spend the most of the 2006 season at Triple-A.

2005

Davis, a speedy switch-hitting center fielder, who turned in a nifty 2004 with High Single-A Lynchburg, led the Carolina League in batting average (.314), hits (160), runs (91) and stolen bases (57). The Pirates thought enough of him to include him on the 40-man roster, but he still has a long way to go before he has a chance to become a new and improved version of Tike Redman.