Blake Davis (baseball)

Blake Jonathan Davis Born December 22, 1983 in Newport Beach, California is a professional baseball infielder and outfielder who is currently a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Baltimore Orioles.

Early life

Davis attended Fountain Valley High School in Fountain Valley, California, where he played primarily shortstop and led in the school's hits and assists. Earned first-team All-Sunset League, second-team All-Orange County and second-team All-CIF honors as a senior, when he batted .376 and stole 14 bases to help the Barons to the league title and the CIF quarterfinals. Also a first-team all-league and second-team all-county pick as a junior, when he hit .459 and set single-season school records for hits (45) and assists (83).^[1]

He played collegiately for California State University, Fullerton. His freshman year, 2003, he was granted a red-shirt season. In 2004, he played in 41 games, 32 of them as a starter at shortstop. He hit .295 on the year, collecting 10 multiple-hit games, had two three-hit games where he collected four RBI – one on Apr. 9 vs. Pacific and the other in the Regional-clinching a win over Pepperdine on June 6. Had a six-game hitting streak from Mar. 13 to Mar. 24, hitting .381 (8-for-21) over that span. He was 16-for-46 (.348) with runners in scoring position and collected 13 of his 21 RBI with two outs. He also led the team with a .600 average (9-for15) when leading off an inning.^[2]

In 2005, emerged as the full-time Titan shortstop. He played in 62 games, starting 51 and hitting a majority of the time in the leadoff spot. Hit .325 on the year, good for third-best on the team, and 15th in the Big West Conference. Ranked fifth in the conference with 50 runs scored and second with eight triples; the eight triples were also good for the second-best Fullerton single-season performance. Led the Titans with 17 stolen bases (in 19 attempts), finishing just behind Cal Poly's Brandon Roberts (20) for the top conference spot. He also, matched his career-high two home runs in 2005, also blasting his first-ever grand slam on Feb. 27 at UNLV. His longest hitting streak lasted seven games from May 22 to June 6, where he hit .358 (10-for-28) over that span. Tallied 20 multiple-hit games, collecting three hits on eight occasions and four hits on May 1, where he went 4-for-5 with 4 RBI, scoring four runs against UC Santa Barbara. Tied a career-high with four RBI on two occasions (Feb. 27 vs. UNLV and May 1 vs. UC Santa Barbara). Played two games at second base for an injured Justin Turner on Apr. 8 and 9. Tallied a team-high 8 assists on May 3 vs. San Diego State. Earned first-team All-Big West recognition and was also a member of the Fullerton Regional all-tournament team. Earned second-team, ABCA/Rawlings West Region honors. Was drafted in the 46th round (No. 1,377 overall) by the Cleveland Indians in the MLB amateur draft in June but did not sign.^[3] In July, 2005 he became the Titans' 15th player to play with the US National team.^[4] While playing with the US National team, he started 16 games (played 20 overall), hit .275, with two triples and four RBI. He had two stolen bases (on four attempts). He also led the team in assists with 58.^[5]

In 2006, he played in 64 games, hit .351 on the year. Had 15 stolen bases (in 22 attempts), 13 doubles, 5 triples, and his collegiate career high 5 home runs. He also had 39 RBI on the year.^[6]

He was drafted in June, 2006 in the 4th round (No. 115 overall) by the [Baltimore Orioles] becoming Cal State Fullerton's highest draft choice that year.^[7]

Baseball career

Drafted in the 4th round by the Orioles, 115th overall and he signed. Although he had played shortstop almost his entire career, Davis was moved to right field for the 2011 season with Triple-A Norfolk and played there about 70% of the time.^[8]

On June 18, 2011, Davis got his chance when he was called up to replace Ryan Adams.^[9] On August 13, 2011, Davis hit his first major league home run after the play was reviewed.

Davis signed with the Long Island Ducks for the 2015 season.

He became a free agent after the 2015 season.

Personal life

Parents are Samuel and Cynthia Davis, he has one older brother (Bryan) and one older sister (Crissy). He majored in Communications while at Cal State Fullerton. Has two different colored eyes. Lists the Lord as his greatest influence in life. His favorite board game is Settlers of Catan.^[10] Married his high school sweetheart Rayanne Bearden Davis on November 13, 2010.

References

External links

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)
• Cal State Fullerton Titans Bio