Former first-overall pick will return to his natural position behind the dish in 2024, says Pirates manager Derek Shelton (as relayed by ). Davis began his profe sional career as a backstop but transitioned into an outfield role this past year. Throughout his first few months of big league action, he started 49 games in right field and played just two innings at catcher. Davis has never been the strongest defender, and he lost out on playing time in 2023 to defensive wizard , fellow young backstop , and breakout backup catcher . All three provided Pittsburgh with positive defensive value behind the plate, per FanGraphs and Baseball Savant, and with so many capable catchers on the roster, its not hard to see why the Pirates were hesitant to drop Davis into the mix. Moreover, Shelton also mentioned that a right hand strain in mid-August prevented the 24-year-old from getting a chance to catch at the end of the year. However, Davis will be more valuable and productive for the Pirates long-term if he can stick at catcher; if he reaches his offensive upside, he could be one of the best-hitting backstops in the game. For precisely that reason, catching will be the focal point for Davis in 2024, per Shelton. He could still see time at DH or in right field, but his manager is planning to give him a legitimate opportunity to develop his catching skills at the big league level DeMar DeRozan Jersey . In other news from around the NL Central After signing top prospect to a record-breaking contract extension, the Brewers are listening to trade offers for the rest of their young outfielders, reports While Heyman doesnt go into much detail about any potential trade offers on the table, he names , , , and as the cost-controlled outfielders Milwaukee could be willing to sell. With a lock in left field and Chourio the favorite to start in center, the Brewers have a bevy of talented outfielders and only one more spot to fill in the starting lineup. Given the teams need for an impact bat and starting pitching depth, the Brewers could trade from an area of strength to addre s those concerns. The Reds are not planning to trade second baseman this winter, according to president of baseball operations Nick Krall (per ). However, they could give him a chance to play a new position as the team attempts to break up a logjam in the infield. Specifically, Krall suggests that India could maybe play some first base in 2024. The 2021 NL Rookie of the Year has not played a defensive position aside from second base since the 2019 Arizona Fall League season, and he has never played first in his profe sional career. However, with at shortstop, at third base, and looking like a good fit at second not to mention , who has played all four infield positions in his pro career the Reds will need to get creative to fit India into the lineup. Cincinnati has no shortage of options at first base either, including Steer, , and , but the more flexible India can be, the better his chances of earning regular playing time. David Robinson Jersey