Pittsburgh Pirates catcher, Henry Davis who was selected number one overall in the 2021 MLB Draft. Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Pirates sign No. 1 pick Henry Davis with reported $6.5M bonus

By Erin Walsh | Last updated Jul 18, 2021 12:55 PM ET

The Pittsburgh Pirates have signed No. 1 overall pick Henry Davis, the team announced Sunday.

"As we started this searching process last summer, it was really important for us to find the best player," Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said during a press conference Sunday. "We also wanted to find the right person to work together with, to help us building a winning team in Pittsburgh.

"We feel very excited and honored and confident that we found that person in Henry Davis."

Official.

Welcome to the Burgh, Henry! pic.twitter.com/gRgUxhwpMW
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) July 18, 2021

According to MLB.com's Jim Callis, the deal is worth $6.5 million, which is well below the $8.4 million value of the first overall selection.

No. 1 overall pick Henry Davis signs w/@Pirates for $6.5 million (pick value = $8,415,300). Louisville C, best college bat in @MLBDraft class, should hit for power & avg, plus-plus arm too.
— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) July 18, 2021

Pittsburgh selected Davis, a catcher from Louisville, in the 2021 MLB Draft on July 11. It was a surprising pick as the 21-year-old was not expected to be the first name off the board.

Davis was the fifth No. 1 pick in Pirates franchise history, joining Gerrit Cole (2011), Bryan Bullington (2002), Kris Benson (1996), and Jeff King (1986). He joins a promising Pittsburgh farm system that includes Nick Gonzalez, Oneil Cruz, Quinn Priester and Liover Peguero.

The New York native hit .337/.435/.565 with 21 home runs and 84 RBI in three seasons with Louisville.

Erin Walsh

Erin Walsh is a Boston sports fan through and through. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Bridgewater State University and currently is in pursuit of her Master's Degree in Journalism from Northeastern University. Follow her on Twitter @ewalsh90

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