Featured Silver Hawk - Matt Davidson
Davidson played a variety of sports growing up in Yucaipa, Calif. that ranged from hockey to motocross and "was never much of a baseball player." That all changed at the age of 10 when he began to have success pitching.
"My little league team was so horrible," said Davidson. "I was the biggest kid and had the best arm, so I had to pitch."
Davidson's success on the mound inspired him to take pitching lessons and focus on baseball. He continued to improve, eventually dominating on the mound for Yucaipa High School as a freshman. Davidson went 10-1 with a 0.76 ERA for the Thunderbirds on his way to earning MVP honors of the Citrus Belt League. As his high school career progressed, however, Davidson made the decision to focus more on hitting.
"I hit well freshman year, too, but pitching was my big thing," said Davidson. "Then hitting evolved, and I was hitting really good. Basically, if you want to hit everyday, you can't pitch."
It wasn't until his junior year of high school that Davidson moved to his current third base position. The transition was tough for Davidson, as he was learning a completely new skill set that others already had.
"Diving was new, and so was all that stuff that everybody had been doing their whole life," said Davidson. "I was like, 'Wow, okay, I've never done this.' Even now I'm still learning."
The adjustment was far easier for Davidson at the plate. He showed enough skills and power to be selected to the 2008 Aflac All-American game and its home run derby. Davidson won the contest by blasting homers in to the bleachers at Dodger Stadium.
"Obviously I don't have as much power as the big leaguers, but I was hitting it out of the same park they do," said Davidson. "It just opened up my eyes and was fun."
Davidson participated in the 2010 Midwest League Home Run Derby in addition to another one in high school. The competitions give Davidson an opportunity to unleash his power, as he is normally more focused on other aspects of hitting.
"I'll be the one guy in batting practice out of the whole team who doesn't hit one out," said Davidson. "When I get to those derbies, it's fun to let it go and hit them out."
The Silver Hawks and Diamondbacks are glad Davidson made the switch he did, as he currently leads South Bend in home runs and the Midwest League in RBIs. Pitchers are a different story, however, as they likely wish he was still on the mound.
The Matt Davidson File
Position: 3B
Height: 6'3''
Weight: 225
Born: March 26, 1991 in Redlands, Calif.
Resides: Yucaipa, Calif.
Obtained: Selected in the supplemental first round of the 2009 First-Year Player Draft
Fast Facts
Favorite Player Growing Up: Ryan Braun
Favorite Food: "Mexican"
Favorite Hobby: "Motocross"
Favorite Movie: "Ali"
Favorite Book: "Bible"
Favorite Subject in School: "History"
Favorite Inspirational Quote: "Human beings have unlimited capabilities, do not underestimate yourself."