Guardians Baseball Insider

Image: Courtesy Hawaii Athletics

The Cleveland Indians selected Aaron Davenport – Right-handed Starting Pitcher with the sixth-round pick (186th overall) in the 2021 MLB Draft.

Aaron Davenport – Right-handed Starting Pitcher

School: Hawaii; 
Age: 21
Height: 6’0; Weight: 185
Throws: Right

Aaron Davenport Pre-Draft Rankings:

IBI- 5-7 round

MLB.com – unranked

Baseball America – 191

Prospects Live– unranked

Willie Hood’s Analysis:

The Rainbows Friday night starter is one of the younger college juniors in the draft class. He was a starting pitcher throughout the majority of his collegiate career. Davenport recorded 30 career starts and appeared in a handful more games in a relief capacity. In 2021, the right-hander struck out 97 batters (10.07 K9), walking 21 (2.18 BB9) across 86.2 innings.

Davenport is another pitcher with a short arm circle similar to his draft peers Doug Nikhazy and Tanner Bibee. The Washington state native utilizes high three-quarters/near over-the-top delivery, giving him deception. The right-hander sits in the upper 80’s to low-90’s and touches 94 mph with his fastball. He utilizes a top-to-bottom high-spin mid-70’s hammer of a curveball that flashes plus or better potential. Rounding out his three-pitch mix is an average change-up that appears to offer growth potential. Overall, Davenport is a strike-thrower with the potential for plus control.

Justin Lada’s Take:

Davenport has the over-the-top delivery Cleveland really likes right now that he uses to get good life up in the zone and play above being 90-93 and hitting 95, and pairs it with a big 12-6 direction curveball. He’s not a physical arm but he has an arsenal that works well together and he has above average command. He’s also a fiery guy on the mound, continuing that theme for Cleveland. Another guy who can fill out the rotation with two average pitches and a chance for a third with good command, pitch metrics, deception and plus metrics.

Press Release:

RHP AARON DAVENPORT

Recorded an ERA of 3.74 in 13 starts during his junior season for the Rainbows (86.2IP, 82H, 36ER, 21BB, 97SO). Posted a collegiate ERA of 3.78 in 32 games/30 starts (173.2IP, 173H, 73ER, 47BB, 180SO). The Duvall, WA native was All-Big West honorable mention in 2021 and posted a 4-0 mark with a 2.15 ERA in 5 starts in 2020 before the pandemic canceled the season (7ER/29.1IP).

Cleveland Indians Scouting Director Scott Barnsby on Aaron Davenport