Dave Davidson

Note: This page links to David Davidson, the player. For the umpire by the same name, click here.

David Lawrence Davidson

• Bats Left, Throws Left
• Height 6' 1", Weight 190 lb.
• High School Denis Morris High School

• Debut September 6, 2007
• Final Game May 22, 2009
• Born April 23, 1984 in Richmond Hill, ON Canada

BR Page

Biographical Information

David Davidson was the 10th-round pick of the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2002 amateur draft. He was signed by scout Charlie Sullivan and made his pro debut the next summer. Davidson pitched for Canada in the 2002 World Junior Championships, fanning 16 and allowing three hits against The Netherlands in the opener. Canada finished 4-1, tied for the best record in Pool A with Cuba and Taiwan and finished 4th in the tournament.

Davidson made his professional debut in 2003 with GCL Pirates and struggled, losing both decisions in 7 outings. He had a 12.91 ERA and allowed a .357 average and almost a walk per inning. The left-hander returned to Bradenton the next year and went 1-0 with a 3.44 ERA in 7 games, striking out 24 in 18 innings.

The southpaw walked 29 in 36 1/3 innings in 2005 but whiffed 46. He had a 1-2, 9.78 record for the Hickory Crawdads and was 1-1, 3.18 for the Williamsport Crosscutters. In 2006, David made 42 appearances at three stops and struck out 96 in 76 innings, allowing only 53 hits (a .193 average). He had a 2-1, 1.93 line for Hickory, 2.16 ERA and no decisions in five games with the Lynchburg Hillcats and 1-1, 2.31 for the Altoona Curve. His season ERA was 2.01. He was 2-2 with a 5.17 ERA that year in the Arizona Fall League and was then added to Pittsburgh's 40-man roster in the off-season.

Though he was noted for his curveball, he abandoned it that spring as it was throwing off his other pitches.

David was 3-1 with two saves and a 4.22 ERA in 39 games for Altoona in 2007, striking out 55 in 59 2/3 innings and allowing a .205 average but walking 30. After 6 games with the Indianapolis Indians (1-0, 1.17, 9 K in 7 2/3 IP), he was called up to the Pirates on September 3. He debuted in a 16-4 loss three days later, relieving John Grabow. He allowed hits to the first rthee batters he faced - Brendan Ryan, David Eckstein and Rick Ankiel before retiring Albert Pujols. Overall, he allowed four runs in one inning of work. Davidson allowed 6 hits and 6 runs in two innings for the 2007 Pirates.

In 2008, Davidson returned to Altoona and was 4-2 with a 3.29 ERA after 34 games. He then joined the Canadian senior national team for the first time and did very well in the 2008 Olympics, allowing no hits or runs in 5 1/3 IP over 3 games for the 6th-place squad. He only pitched one game for Altoona after the Olympics ended.

He was then added to Canada's roster for the 2009 World Baseball Classic and pitched a scoreless inning in relief in the opener against Team USA.

Davidson began 2009 with the Indianapolis Indians, allowing one run in 4 1/3 IP. He was taken off Pittsburgh's 40-man roster when they traded for Delwyn Young. The Florida Marlins claimed him off waivers.

Sources

Canadian Sports Online, 2003-2005 Baseball Almanacs, Minorleaguebaseball.com, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 2008 Beijing Games