White Sox: Matt Davidson Continues Two-Way Dream With Rangers
Former White Sox third baseman, designated hitter and relief pitcher Matt Davidson finds a new home with Texas Rangers after being non-tendered.
Matt Davidson endeared himself to White Sox fans last season after displaying some pitching prowess during blowout games. Davidson not only played third base and was a designated hitter for the Sox in 2018, but he also pitched as a reliever.
After continuing to work on his pitching during the offseason, Davidson was non-tendered by the White Sox. With the White Sox moving in a different direction, it appeared that Davidson would have to wait a little longer to find a new team.
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His wait wasn’t that long as Davidson signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers this past Friday. Davidson spent three seasons with the Sox and three seasons in their farm system with Triple-A Charlotte after being acquired via trade from the Arizona Diamondbacks after the 2013 season for Addison Reed.
At one time, Davidson was viewed as the Sox third baseman of the future after being acquired but poor seasons with the Knights where he failed to hit over .203 in 2015, derailed those hopes. Davidson would make his Sox debut in 2016 for one game but broke his foot and missed the remainder of the season.
In 2017, Davidson appeared in 118 games and ended that season with a .220/.260/.412 slash line to go along with 26 home runs and 68 RBIs. It wasn’t until last season, that Davidson got his chance to pitch in the Majors. As a hitter, Davidson finished 2018 with a .226 batting average, 20 home runs, 62 RBIs and .738 OPS. Davidson would get his first crack at pitching on June 29 of last year in a blowout 11-3 loss to the Rangers.
The 27-year-old pitched a scoreless inning that night in Arlington, TX and recorded a strikeout. Davidson would pitch again twice in two separate outings and recorded a strikeout of Giancarlo Stanton on Aug. 6 when he pitched against the Yankees. For the season, Davidson didn’t allow a single earned run in three total innings pitched in 2018.
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Davidson could have the chance to pitch again as a member of the Rangers. If he’s able to make the Rangers out of Spring Training or joins the team later this year, Davidson could find himself pitching again in the Majors. Sadly, Davidson never became a consistent power-hitting third baseman with the White Sox. We at Southside Showdown wish him good luck with the Rangers and hopefully, he pitches again as soon as this upcoming season.