Angels Select Kentrail Davis in Rule 5 Draft

The Los Angeles Angels continue to add pieces to their roster. After a busy Wednesday night that saw the Halos bring in two new players, the club has added four more via the Rule 5 draft on Thursday morning. The Angels plucked outfielder, Kentrail Davis, from the Milwaukee Brewers in the Triple-A portion of the draft.

The 26-year-old was originally a first round pick of the Brew Crew back in 2009 after an illustrious career at the University of Tennessee. Davis flew through the Brewers system, playing 49 games at Triple-A Nashville in 2013. Davis appeared to be on the fast track to the big leagues until taking a step backwards last season, spending 2014 with Double-A Huntsville. It cost the Angels $12,000 to select Davis in the Triple-A phase, but unlike most Rule-5 draftees, Davis will not be returned to the Brewers if he fails to stay on the active roster for the entire 2015 season.

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Kentrail Davis is a contact hitter, who utilizes his speed to cause problems for opposing defenses. Davis batted .266 over his five-year minor league career, but he has posted an impressive career on base percentage of .358. Davis has tallied 103 stolen bases over the course of his career. The 26-year-old speedster was very impressive in 2013 splitting the campaign between Huntsville and Nashville. Davis hit .268 with 7 home runs and 47 runs batted in, adding 26 steals and posting an OBP of .364.

The Alabama native has been inconsistent defensively in the minor leagues, but has had his moments with the leather. Davis has demonstrated a strong throwing arm, but also shown an ability to loose concentration at times. Davis has tallied a combined 26 outfield assists over the past three seasons, but he also committed 14 errors over the same stretch. Davis roamed right field for much of his time in the Brewers system, but at 5’9 and weighing 200 pounds, he does not have the prototypical right fielder build. With Davis’ combination of arm strength and speed, he has the ability to play all three spots for the Halos.

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Angels’ general manager, Jerry Dipoto, has an obvious affection for players who demonstrate an ability to get on base. Davis is a future top of the order left handed bat, who has shown an ability to get on base at every level. Davis will have an opportunity to make the Angels as a reserve outfielder in 2015, but will face stiff competition from, Daniel Robertson, and, Collin Cowgill.

I am not sure if Kentrail Davis has enough to beat out Robertson and Cowgill, but I am sure that Davis will be fun to watch as he pushes for a spot with the Halos next spring in Tempe. Davis does represent a much cheaper option as an extra outfielder than Cowgill, who is arbitration eligible for the first time in his career this offseason.

If Davis can become a more consistent fielder, and rediscover the form that made him such a promising prospect in 2013, he could easily find himself wearing the red and white next summer.