{{short description|American baseball player (born 1994)}} {{distinguish|text=American football player Jalen Davis}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2021}} {{Infobox baseball biography | name = Jaylin Davis | image = File:Jaylin Davis.jpg | caption = Davis with the Fort Myers Miracle | team = | number = | position = Outfielder | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1994|7|1}} | birth_place = Greensboro, North Carolina, U.S. | bats = Right | throws = Right | debutleague = MLB | debutdate = September 4 | debutyear = 2019 | debutteam = San Francisco Giants | finalleague = MLB | finaldate = August 13 | finalyear = 2022 | finalteam = Boston Red Sox | statleague = MLB | statyear = | stat1label = Batting average | stat1value = .207 | stat2label = Home runs | stat2value = 2 | stat3label = Runs batted in | stat3value = 6 | teams = * San Francisco Giants ({{mlby|2019}}–{{mlby|2021}}) * Boston Red Sox ({{mlby|2022}}) }}
'''Jaylin Malik Davis''' (born July 1, 1994) is an American former professional baseball outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Francisco Giants and Boston Red Sox. He played college baseball for Appalachian State University then was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 24th round of the 2015 MLB draft.
==Amateur career== Davis attended Northeast Guilford High School in McLeansville, North Carolina, where he had a .453 batting average as a sophomore, .468 as a junior and .483 as a senior.<ref name="appstatesports1">{{Cite web|url=https://appstatesports.com/sports/baseball/roster/jaylin-davis/3228|title=Jaylin Davis - Baseball|website=App State Athletics}}</ref> He was all-state and conference player of the year in his senior year.<ref name="appstatesports1"/>
Davis attended Appalachian State University, where he majored in health promotion and played college baseball.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.greensboro.com/sports_high_school/baseball/the-interview-with-jaylin-davis-northeast-guilford-senior-baseball/article_2da0673c-6866-58db-b261-2aac52fae020.html |title=The Interview with Jaylin Davis Northeast Guilford, senior, baseball | Baseball |publisher=greensboro.com |date=2012-03-29 |accessdate=2019-11-13}}</ref> In 2013, he was a Louisville Slugger freshman all-American, and was named the Southern Conference freshman of the year.<ref name="appstatesports1"/> He was selected by the Minnesota Twins in the 24th round of the 2015 MLB draft.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.journalnow.com/sports/college/asu/davis-dobson-among-four-appalachian-state-mountaineers-taken-in-mlb/article_8f59c827-ef29-56e8-9d45-5be8495786c9.html |title=Davis, Dobson among four Appalachian State Mountaineers taken in MLB Draft | Asu |publisher=journalnow.com |date=2015-06-10 |accessdate=2019-11-13}}</ref>
==Professional career== ===Minnesota Twins=== Davis spent his first professional season in 2016 with the rookie-level Elizabethton Twins and Single–A Cedar Rapids Kernels,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thegazette.com/subject/sports/blogs/diamonds-and-ice-by-jeff-johnson/jaylin-davis-overcomes-shoulder-injury-playing-well-early-for-cr-kernels-20160710 |title=Jaylin Davis overcomes shoulder injury, playing well early for C.R. Kernels |publisher=The Gazette |date=2016-07-10 |accessdate=2019-11-13}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thegazette.com/subject/sports/professional/cedar-rapids-kernels/power-surge-continues-for-jaylin-davis-of-cr-kernels-20170525 |title=Power surge continues for Jaylin Davis of Cedar Rapids Kernels |publisher=The Gazette |date=2017-05-25 |accessdate=2019-11-13}}</ref> registering a .255/.341/.523 slash line with 16 home runs and 41 RBIs over 64 games. He played in 2017 with Cedar Rapids and the High–A Fort Myers Miracle, slashing .253/.303/.416 with 15 home runs, 66 RBIs, and 147 strikeouts in 125 games.
He played in 2018 with Fort Myers (with whom he was named a Florida State League All-Star)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/fort-myers/news/four-miracle-selected-as-2018-fsl-all-stars/c-279725278 |title=Four Miracle selected as 2018 FSL All-Stars | Miracle |publisher=Milb.com |date= |accessdate=2019-11-13}}</ref> and the Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts, hitting .273/.347/.412 with 11 home runs, 53 RBIs, and 126 strikeouts in 120 games. After the 2018 season, he played in the Arizona Fall League.
Davis started 2019 with the Double-A Pensacola Blue Wahoos, earning Southern League All-Star honors,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/pensacola/news/blue-wahoos-jaylin-davis-plays-entire-way-in-sl-all-star-game/c-308256194 |title=Blue Wahoos Jaylin Davis Plays Entire Way In SL All-Star Game | Blue Wahoos |publisher=Milb.com |date=2019-06-19 |accessdate=2019-11-13}}</ref> and was promoted to the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings during the season.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://navarrepress.com/sports/davis-fights-through-adversity-to-find-success/ |title=Davis fights through adversity to find success |publisher=Navarre Press |date= |accessdate=2019-11-13 |archive-date=July 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190725023425/https://navarrepress.com/sports/davis-fights-through-adversity-to-find-success/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> In Rochester, Davis earned International League Player of The Month honors for the month of July.
===San Francisco Giants=== On July 31, 2019, the Twins traded Davis, Prelander Berroa, and Kai-Wei Teng to the San Francisco Giants in exchange for Sam Dyson.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/sam-dyson-trade-to-twins|title= Twins get reliever Dyson from Giants |work=MLB.com|first=Do-Hyoung|last= Park|date=July 31, 2019}}</ref> Following the trade, he was assigned to the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats of the Pacific Coast League. With three minor-league teams during 2019 he hit a combined .306/.397/.590 with 35 home runs, 10 stolen bases, and 94 RBIs while striking out 138 times in 468 at bats.<ref name=brm/>
On September 4, 2019, the Giants selected Davis' contract and promoted him to the major leagues.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2019/09/04/giants-call-up-power-hitting-outfielder-jaylin-davis-from-triple-a/|title=Giants call up power-hitting outfielder Jaylin Davis from Triple-A|website=The Mercury News|author=Kerry Crowley|date=September 4, 2019|accessdate=September 4, 2019}}</ref> He made his major-league debut that night versus the St. Louis Cardinals, hitting an infield single off of Michael Wacha.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/giants/jaylin-davis-lives-giants-expectations-shows-elite-speed|title=Jaylin Davis lives up to Giants' expectations, shows off elite speed|website=NBC Sports Bay Area|author=Alex Pavlovic |date=September 4, 2019|accessdate=September 5, 2019}}</ref> Davis hit his first major-league home run on September 25, a walk-off off of D. J. Johnson of the Colorado Rockies.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/bayarea/giants/giants-witness-jaylin-davis-tremendous-gift-walk-home-run|title=Giants witness Jaylin Davis' 'tremendous gift' on walk-off home run|website=NBC Sports Bay Area|author=Alex Pavlovic |date=September 25, 2019|accessdate=September 26, 2019}}</ref> For the 2019 season, he batted .167/.255/.238 in 42 at bats.<ref name=brm/> In 2020 for the Giants, Davis batted .167/.167/.417 with a home run and an RBI in 12 at bats.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/2020/10/22/21528827/san-francisco-giants-jaylin-davis-season-review|title=Jaylin Davis wasn't given much of a chance|first=Brady|last=Klopfer|date=October 22, 2020|website=McCovey Chronicles}}</ref>
On April 11, 2021, Davis was placed on the 60-day injured list with left knee tendinitis.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Polishuk |first=Mark |date=2021-04-11 |title=Giants Acquire Thairo Estrada |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/04/giants-acquire-thairo-estrada.html |access-date=2023-12-06 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en-US}}</ref> He was activated from the injured list on July 1.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/07/giants-place-mike-tauchman-on-injured-list.html|title=Giants Place Mike Tauchman On Injured List|website=MLB Trade Rumors|date=July 2021 }}</ref> During the 2021 season for the Giants, Davis batted one-for-nine (0.111). With Triple-A Sacramento, he batted .230/.317/.503 with 34 runs, 11 home runs, and 34 RBIs in 161 at bats.<ref name=brm>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=davis-003jay |title=Jaylin Davis College, Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics & History |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |date= |accessdate=October 8, 2022}}</ref> He began the 2022 season with Sacramento and was designated for assignment on April 21.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/giants-lose-outfielder-jaylin-davis-165318178.html |title=Giants lose outfielder Jaylin Davis to Red Sox on waiver claim |first=Alex |last=Pavlovic |website=Yahoo! Sports |date=April 29, 2022 |accessdate=April 29, 2022 |archive-date=April 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220430004712/https://sports.yahoo.com/giants-lose-outfielder-jaylin-davis-165318178.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
===Boston Red Sox=== On April 28, 2022, Davis was claimed off waivers by the Boston Red Sox and assigned to the Triple-A Worcester Red Sox.<ref>{{cite news |last=Leger |first=Justin |date=April 28, 2022 |title=Red Sox claim outfielder off waivers from Giants |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/red-sox/red-sox-claim-jaylin-davis-waivers-giants |work=NBC Sports |location=New York, NY}}</ref> He was added to Boston's active roster on April 29,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.overthemonster.com/2022/4/29/23048566/boston-red-sox-roster-news-travis-shaw-designated-for-assignment-waivers-franchy-cordero |title=Red Sox designate Travis Shaw for assignment |first=Matt |last=Collins |website=overthemonster.com |date=April 29, 2022 |accessdate=April 29, 2022}}</ref> and made his Red Sox debut on May 1.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/jd-martinez-returns-jaylin-davis-makes-boston-red-sox-debut-sunday-vs-orioles-alex-verdugo-gets-rare-day-off/ar-AAWOx5C |title=J.D. Martinez returns, Jaylin Davis makes Boston Red Sox debut Sunday vs. Orioles; Alex Verdugo gets rare day off |first=Chris |last=Cotillo |website=masslive.com |via=MSN.com |date=May 1, 2022 |accessdate=May 1, 2022}}</ref> He split time between Worcester and Boston during the season, batting .203 in 88 minor-league games with Worcester,<ref name=brm/> and .333 in 12 major-league games with Boston.<ref name=br>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/davisja03.shtml |title=Jaylin Davis Stats |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |accessdate=October 8, 2022}}</ref> On May 14, Davis was designated for assignment when Rich Hill was activated off of the COVID-19 injured list.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Red Sox's Jaylin Davis: Loses spot on 40-man roster|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/red-soxs-jaylin-davis-loses-spot-on-40-man-roster/|access-date=2023-02-07|website=cbssports.com|date=May 14, 2022 |language=en}}</ref> On May 19, he cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Worcester.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Red Sox's Jaylin Davis: Stays in organization|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/red-soxs-jaylin-davis-stays-in-organization/|access-date=2023-02-07|website=cbssports.com|date=May 18, 2022 |language=en}}</ref>
Davis was selected back to the active roster on July 23 after Rafael Devers was placed on the injured list.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Red Sox's Jaylin Davis: Summoned to majors|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/red-soxs-jaylin-davis-summoned-to-majors/amp/|access-date=2023-05-25|website=cbssports.com|language=en}}</ref> On September 12, the Red Sox designated Davis for assignment to clear roster space for infielder Yu Chang.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cotillo |first1=Chris |title=Boston Red Sox claim Yu Chang, former Cleveland infield prospect who hit .260 in 36 games for Rays this year; Jaylin Davis DFA'd |url=https://www.masslive.com/redsox/2022/09/boston-red-sox-claim-yu-chang-former-cleveland-infield-prospect-who-hit-260-in-36-games-for-rays-this-year-jaylin-davis-dfad.html |access-date=August 13, 2023 |publisher=MassLive |date=September 12, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Red Sox claim infielder Yu Chang off waivers from Tampa Bay Rays |url=https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press-release-red-sox-claim-yu-chang-off-waivers-from-rays |access-date=August 13, 2023 |work=MLB.com |date=September 12, 2022}}</ref> Davis was subsequently sent outright to Worcester on September 14,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mlb.com/redsox/roster/transactions/2022/09 |title=Red Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions |website=MLB.com |publisher=Boston Red Sox |date=September 2022 |accessdate=September 14, 2022}}</ref> and elected free agency on October 6.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/jaylin-davis-opts-for-free-agency/ |title=Jaylin Davis: Opts for free agency |website=CBS Sports |accessdate=October 8, 2022}}</ref>
===New York Mets=== On February 24, 2023, Davis signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets organization.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 25, 2023 |title=Mets' Jaylin Davis: Signs NRI deal |url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/mets-jaylin-davis-signs-nri-deal/amp/ |access-date=2023-12-06 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en}}</ref> He played in 76 games split between the Single–A St. Lucie Mets and Triple–A Syracuse Mets, accumulating a .216/.333/.437 batting line with 14 home runs and 48 RBI. He was released by the Mets on July 16.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.milb.com/transactions/2023-07-16 | title=Transactions }}</ref>
===Milwaukee Milkmen=== On May 1, 2024, Davis signed with the Milwaukee Milkmen of the American Association of Professional Baseball.<ref>{{Cite web|title=2024 Transactions|url=https://aabaseball.com/2024-transactions/|access-date=May 1, 2024|website=aabaseball.com|language=en}}</ref> In 77 games for Milwaukee, he batted .240/.383/.445 with 13 home runs, 48 RBI, and three stolen bases.
Davis made 21 appearances for Milwaukee in 2025, batting .167/.253/.205 with six RBI and two stolen bases.
===York Revolution=== On June 3, 2025, Davis was traded to the York Revolution of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball in exchange for Matt Walker.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Transactions|url=https://baseball.pointstreak.com/transactions.html?leagueid=174&seasonid=34102|access-date=June 3, 2025|website=baseball.pointstreak.com|language=en}}</ref> In 67 appearances for the Revolution, he batted .238/.374/.514 with 17 home runs, 48 RBI, and 11 stolen bases. With York, Davis won the Atlantic League championship.<ref>{{Cite web|title=York Revolution slug past High Point for repeat Atlantic League title|url=https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/sports/baseball/york-revolution/2025/10/02/revs-repeat-atlantic-league-title-high-point-series-recap-rick-forney-jalen-miller/86474527007/|access-date=October 19, 2025|website=yorkdispatch.com|language=en}}</ref>
On January 12, 2026, Davis announced his retirement from professional baseball.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Quick Hits: Davis, Kranick, Collins|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2026/01/quick-hits-davis-kranick-collins.html|access-date=January 13, 2026|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{baseballstats|mlb=664041|espn=41627|br=d/davisja03|fangraphs=19552|brm=davis-003jay|retro=D/Pdavij008}} *[https://appstatesports.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=3228 Appalachian State Mountaineers bio]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Davis, Jaylin}} Category:1994 births Category:Living people Category:African-American baseball players Category:Appalachian State Mountaineers baseball players Category:Baseball players from Greensboro, North Carolina Category:Boston Red Sox players Category:Cedar Rapids Kernels players Category:Chattanooga Lookouts players Category:Elizabethton Twins players Category:Fort Myers Miracle players Category:Major League Baseball outfielders Category:Milwaukee Milkmen players Category:Naranjeros de Hermosillo players Category:Pensacola Blue Wahoos players Category:Rochester Red Wings players Category:Sacramento River Cats players Category:Salt River Rafters players Category:San Francisco Giants players Category:St. Lucie Mets players Category:Syracuse Mets players Category:Worcester Red Sox players Category:York Revolution players Category:21st-century African-American sportsmen Category:21st-century American sportsmen