DENVER, Co. — University of Louisville catcher Henry Davis was selected with the first overall pick by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2021 Major League Baseball's amateur draft on Sunday night.

What You Need To Know

  • Henry Davis chosen first by the Pittsburgh Pirates

  • The catcher is up for several awards including the Buster Posey and Golden Spikes

  • He is the fourth Cardinal in any sport chosen No. 1

  • He is the 88th player drafted since UofL baseball coach Dan McDonnell joined UofL

Davis is the first Louisville baseball player to be selected first overall and the fourth student-athlete taken No. 1 overall from the University of Louisville in any sport. Davis joins the following as No. 1 draft picks:

  • Pervis Ellison (NBA, 1989)
  • Angel McCoughtry (WNBA, 2009)
  • Andrew Farrell (MLS, 2013)

Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred announced the picks from Denver’s Bellco Theater. Major League Baseball moved the draft from its long-standing June slot to July’s All-Star weekend to better showcase its future stars. 

Originally from Bedford, N.Y., Davis is the ninth Cardinal to be selected in the first round of the MLB draft and the seventh in the last six years. UofL baseball coach Dan McDonnell gets players drafted. Davis is the 88th student-athlete drafted in McDonnell's 15 years at Louisville. 

The Bedford, N.Y. native is the ninth Cardinal taken in the first round of the MLB Draft and the seventh in the last six years. Davis is also the 88th student-athlete drafted during Dan McDonnell's 15-year tenure at Louisville.

The catcher was a unanimous All-American in the spring after hitting a team-best .370 with 15 home runs and 48 RBIs, throwing out 46% of would-be base stealers to become a finalist for the Buster Posey Award as college baseball’s best defensive catcher. He is also a semifinalist for the Golden Spikes Award and the Dick Howser Trophy.

The MLB Draft continues with rounds 2-10 taking place on Monday with the final rounds set for Tuesday.

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