The Braves didn’t waste time in the development of their top draft pick Braxton Davidson. Shortly after the left fielder from T.C. Roberson High School in Asheville, N.C. signed his $1.705 million contract on Monday, they put him in uniform and sent him out of the field for batting practice at Turner Field with the major league club.
Davidson was just heading out of the Braves dugout when first base coach Terry Pendleton hollered after him “Davey!” and told him to turn around the sunglasses he had propped on his cap bill.
“We don’t cover up the ‘A’ around here,” Pendleton said.
“Yes sir, yes sir!” Davidson said with a smile as he jogged out onto the field.
Davidson played catch with Jordan Schafer. He chatted with Justin Upton as he went out to shag fly balls. He took five rounds of batting practice from Pendleton, working through some nerves to start hitting line drives to the gaps, and a handful of home runs, with Braves general manager Frank Wren, standing behind the cage.
Davidson hit in the same group as his 7-year-old brother Caden’s favorite Brave, Dan Uggla. So while Caden stood nearby with their parents proudly holding a newly-signed Uggla jersey, Davidson was getting a few extra swings because Uggla had encouraged Schafer to let the 17-year-old have the final swings of their group.
“Schafe, let him go,” said Uggla. And after Davidson lined his final pitch to right field, Uggla commended him with a “Nice!”
Davidson had gotten to meet and shake hands with some of the Braves left-handed hitters he’d looked up to, in Jason Heyward and Freddie Freeman.
“Jason Heyward’s hand came up to like the middle of my forearm,” Davidson said, smiling. “His hands are huge. He’s 6-5, 235. I’m like 6-2, 205, 210. It was pretty cool. They’re all just great dudes, really kind, genuine guys.”
As thrilling as the entire day was, the most important part to Davidson was the official signing. He had already agreed to sign for the slot assigned to the 32nd overall pick in the draft but Monday’s putting pen to paper made it official.
“Signing my contract and solidifying that I’m part of the Braves and get to live my dream - it’s something I’ve wanted to do since I was 2,” Davidson said. “And I’m just really thankful that I get to live it. And of course hitting bp is always a good thing to do. It’s just great.”
Davidson will go back to Asheville to celebrate his 18th birthday Wednesday and then head to Orlando at the end of the week to begin his first rookie ball season with the Gulf Coast League Braves.
“All my friends went off to beach week, down to Myrtle Beach so I’m stuck at home alone,” said Davidson, but then he smiled. “I won’t be here for long. I’m excited to get ready to go down (to Florida).”
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