Pirates' Henry Davis, top pick in 2021 MLB draft, doubles in first at-bat

Henry Davis, the first overall pick in the 2021 MLB draft, wasted no time making an impact in his first major league game.

Starting in right field and batting seventh for the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday night after getting the call-up from Triple-A Indianapolis, Davis got his first MLB hit in his first at-bat in the bottom of the third inning. The 23-year-old who was taken with the top pick out of Louisville belted a hard ground ball down the left field line off the Chicago Cubs' Drew Smyly and raced to second for a stand-up double. It was the Pirates' first hit of the game.

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"Honestly, I felt pretty comfortable," Davis said. "I worked really hard for this. I really trust my approach, whether it’s spring training or whatever level. Just try to have a good at-bat, help the team win."

Davis, whose main position is catcher, started the season with the Double-A Altoona Curve before he was called up to Triple-A Indianapolis. He batted .286 with a homer in 10 games there, after batting .284 with 10 home runs with Altoona.

"He deserves to be here," Pirates manager Derek Shelton said Sunday. "I think he’s shown that."

Davis, who finished Monday's game 1-for-3 with a walk, found out Sunday he was getting the call-up. He said he had some suspicions when he found out he was being held out of Indianapolis' lineup. Indianapolis manager Miguel Perez delivered him the news with a note that said "you're going to the Show."

Contributing: Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Henry Davis hits double in first MLB at-bat for Pirates