Former SF Giants outfielder announces retirement after four-year career

Former SF Giants outfielder Jaylin Davis recently announced his retirement on Instagram. The announcement concludes a four-year career, including parts of three seasons with the Giants.

Former SF Giants outfielder announces retirement after four-year career

Davis improbably began his career as 24th-round pick in 2015 by the Minnesota Twins out of Appalachian State University. I say improbable because the 24th round no longer exists. MLB reduced the draft to 20 rounds after the pandemic-shortened 2020 draft.

The odds of any pick making it to the majors are low, but that is especially true for someone taken in the 24th round. While that round no longer exists, it does open the door for more undrafted free agents to make to the majors.

Davis was not drafted by the Giants, but it seems that they always have a scouting presence in North Carolina. Madison Bumgarner, Patrick Bailey, Carson Whisenhunt, Trent Harris, and Bo Davidson are some recent examples of this.

Davis had the raw tools to be a higher pick, but he sustained a torn labrum in 2015 that led to him falling in the draft.

The right-handed bat flashed above-average raw power, leading to double-digit home run totals in the minors. At the 2019 trade deadline, the Twins shipped him to the Giants, along with Kai-Wei Teng and Prelander Berroa, in exchange for Sam Dyson.

Davis clubbed 10 home runs in 117 plate appearances with the Sacramento River Cats following the deal. That gave him an impressive 35 home runs in the minors that season before earning a promotion.

The power-hitting outfielder tallied seven hits in 42 at-bats with the Giants. This included a walk-off homer for his first career long ball. It came in a 2-1 victory over the Colorado Rockies on September 25, 2019.

Heading into the 2020 season, the Giants coaching staff and front office talked about giving Davis an extended look in the outfield. That never came to fruition and he only accumulated 21 more plate appearances over the next two seasons with San Francisco.

Davis’ final year in the majors came during a brief stint with the Boston Red Sox in 2022. Over the past few seasons, he worked the minor league circuit and finished his pro career in independent ball. We at Around the Foghorn would like to congratulate him on his retirement and wish him luck in his future endeavors.