The San Francisco Giants are on the hunt for hidden gems during spring training, bringing in 19 non-roster invitees to shake things up. Among these hopefuls is outfielder Bo Davidson, the Giants' No. 3 prospect, trailing only first baseman Bryce Eldridge and shortstop Josuar Gonzalez. Davidson's journey from undrafted free agent in 2023 to a rising star has been nothing short of impressive.
The buzz around Davidson is palpable. According to a report from NBC Sports Bay Area's Alex Pavlovic, the Giants see shades of a legend in the 23-year-old.
When Davidson was at Caldwell Community College, Giants scouts affectionately dubbed him the "JUCO Barry Bonds." While some might see this as ambitious, the front office's confidence in Davidson is unwavering.
Last year, Davidson made waves in the minors with a .281 batting average, 18 home runs, and 19 stolen bases, catching the Giants' attention for a closer look. His athleticism isn't limited to baseball; he also played high school football in North Carolina, even lining up against New England Patriots star Drake Maye.
Reflecting on those days, Davidson recalled, “He's a big dude. We went out to do the coin toss, and he was hovering over me.”
As spring training heats up, Davidson faces fierce competition to secure a spot on the Giants' opening-day roster. His edge? Giants manager Tony Vitello has been notably impressed with his workouts, which could bode well for his chances.
After finishing last season with an 81-81 record and missing the playoffs for the fourth consecutive year, the Giants are eager for a turnaround. Davidson might just be the spark they need.