The Yankees are taking a low-risk, high-upside swing with outfielder Brennen Davis, signing the once-promising prospect to a minor league deal with an invite to MLB Spring Training. It’s the kind of move that doesn’t make headlines in December but could pay dividends if Davis can finally stay on the field and tap back into the talent that once made him one of baseball’s most exciting young players.
Let’s rewind. Davis was a second-round pick by the Cubs in 2018, and by 2019, he was already turning heads.
At just 19 years old, he slashed .305/.381/.525 in 50 games at Single-A - showcasing a blend of bat speed, plate discipline, and power that had scouts buzzing. He followed that up with a rapid rise through the minors in 2021, jumping from High-A to Double-A to Triple-A in a single season.
Across those levels, he hit for average, got on base, and slugged - including a .268/.397/.536 line in a brief 16-game stint at Triple-A.
That 2021 campaign vaulted him into top-20 prospect territory across the league. With the Cubs entering a rebuild after trading away core championship pieces like Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant, and Javier Báez, Davis looked like a prime candidate to be part of the next wave. But just as the door to the majors cracked open, injuries slammed it shut.
In 2022, Davis got off to a rough start and underwent back surgery in May. He did make it back before the end of the season, and while he managed to draw walks and get on base, the power wasn’t there - and without it, the Cubs didn’t see enough to give him a September call-up.
By 2023, the Cubs were chasing a postseason berth and had added Cody Bellinger to a crowded outfield. That made Davis’s path to the big leagues even tougher.
Unfortunately, injuries continued to derail his momentum. Over the next two seasons, he dealt with core surgery and a fractured ankle, limiting both his availability and his production at Triple-A.
In November, the Cubs made the tough call to non-tender him, removing him from the 40-man roster and sending him into free agency.
Enter the Yankees. Davis signed a minor league deal and joined the organization in 2024, but didn’t make his debut with their Triple-A club until late May due to lingering effects from the fractured ankle.
Then came another injury setback in the summer, costing him two more months. But when he was on the field, he reminded everyone why he was once so highly regarded.
In just 36 games, Davis posted a .271/.324/.576 slash line with 12 home runs in 142 plate appearances - a power surge that stood out even in a small sample.
The speed that once made him a true five-tool threat has understandably taken a backseat after years of injuries, but the power is still very real. And at 26 years old, there’s still time for Davis to carve out a meaningful role - especially if he can stay healthy for a full season, something that’s eluded him for nearly half a decade.
Now, with a fresh opportunity in New York, Davis will get a shot to prove himself in Spring Training. While the Yankees' outfield depth chart is still taking shape, there’s always room for a right-handed bat with pop - especially one who’s hungry to make up for lost time.
If Davis can stay on the field and keep producing like he did in those flashes last season, don’t be surprised if he forces his way into the conversation at some point in 2025. The tools are still there. The question, as it’s been for years, is whether his body will finally let him show them off for more than just a glimpse.