Wade Davis, Retired

Date of Birth: 9/7/1985
Birthplace: Lake Wales, Florida

Wade Davis, retired relief pitcher, was first drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2004. He played in the Rays' minor league system from 2004 through most of 2009.

Davis started his major league career as a starting pitcher in 2009, pitching in 6 games with the Rays. The following season, he was part of the Rays' starting rotation. In 2010, he had a career high 12 wins to 10 losses, 113 strikeouts to 62 walks, and a 4.07 ERA in 168.0 innings in 29 games. The following year, he pitched a career high 184.0 innings in 29 games and he had an 11-10 record and a 4.45 ERA.

Davis became a relief pitcher in 2012. That season, he pitched 70.1 innings in 54 games and he had a 2.43 ERA.

In December, 2012, Davis was traded to the Kansas City Royals. He pitched from both the starting rotation and the bullpen in 2013. He finished the season with an 8-11 record, a career high 114 strikeouts to 58 walks, and a 5.32 ERA in 135.1 innings in 31 games.

As a relief pitcher for the Royals in 2014, Davis had a 9-2 record, 3 saves, 109 strikeouts to 23 walks, and a 1.00 ERA in 72.0 innings in 71 games. From June 25th through September 15th, he didn't give up any earned runs. In the 2014 postseason, he pitched 14.1 innings in 12 games and he gave up 8 hits and 1 earned run for an ERA of 0.63.

Davis had a career low ERA of 0.94 in 2015. He pitched 67.1 innings in 69 games and he had an 8-1 record, 17 saves, and 78 strikeouts to 20 walks. In the postseason, he won the Babe Ruth award for giving up only 6 hits and no runs in 10.2 innings in 8 games.

In 2016, Davis spent time on the DL, pitching in just 45 games with the Royals. He had a 1.87 ERA, a career high 27 saves, and 47 strikeouts to 16 walks in 43.1 innings.

The Royals exercised Davis' option for 2017 on November 3, 2016. He was traded to the Chicago Cubs on December 7, 2016. He finished the 2017 season with 4 wins and 2 losses, 32 saves, 79 strikeouts to 28 walks, and a 2.30 ERA in 58.2 innings in 59 games. In the postseason, he pitched 6.1 innings in 5 games and he gave up 4 hits and 3 runs. He struck out 8 batters and walked 6.

Davis became a free agent on November 2, 2017. He signed with the Colorado Rockies on December 29, 2017. He finished the 2018 season with 3 wins and 6 losses, 43 saves, 78 strikeouts to 26 walks, and a 4.13 ERA in 65.1 innings in 69 games. In the postseason, he pitched 1.1 innings in 2 games and he gave up 2 home runs and 2 runs.

Davis spent time on the DL in 2019 with a left oblique strain. He finished the season with 1 win and 6 losses, 15 saves, 42 strikeouts to 29 walks, and a 8.65 ERA in 42.2 innings in 50 games.

Davis pitched just 4.1 innings in 5 games in 2020. He had an ERA of 20.77 before the Rockies released him on September 21st.

Davis returned to the Royals on a minor league contract on January 20, 2021. He spent time on the IL in 2021 with right forearm strain and right shoulder inflammation. He finished the season with no wins and 3 losses, 38 strikeouts to 19 walks, and a 6.75 ERA in 42.2 innings in 40 games.

Davis became a free agent on November 3, 2021. He retired on November 24th.

Career pitching statistics for Davis through 2021 include:

• 557 games played
• 990.1 innings pitched
• 63-55 win-loss record
• 141 saves
• 929 strikeouts to 389 walks
• 3.94 ERA

Charitable Work

Davis started the Full Kount charity in 2011 in Lake Wales, Florida. The charity aids children in sports.

Personal Life

Davis and his wife Katelyn married in November, 2009. They have one daughter.

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Wade Davis
ESPN - Wade Davis