Chandler, Arizona native Brennen Davis was a standout on the hardwood and the diamond at Basha High School.
After an incredible high school career, he made the decision to narrow his considerable talents to the baseball diamond as he committed to play college baseball at the University of Miami.
Those plans changed because following his senior year of high school, Davis was selected in the 2nd round of the 2018 MLB Draft by the legendary Chicago Cubs organization.
Battling through various injuries from from being hit in the face by a pitch in an April 2021 Spring Training game to dealing with serious sciatic nerve issues in his back, the top prospect still managed to shine bright over the past few years in the Cubs farm system.
Davis has been awarded two Buck O’Neil Cubs Minor League Player of the Year awards. His considerable star shined brightest when he was selected to play in the the All Star Futures Game as he earned MVP honors in the contest for his impressive 2-3, two home run performance in an 8 to 3 National League victory.
Once again healthy, Davis is making his climb up the Chicago MiLB pipeline to secure his spot in the considerable Cubbie’s outfield and be a staple in the big leagues for years to come. Don’t be surprised if you see him in Wrigley before the 2021 season is over.
Davis recently spoke to SC Daily about his most favorite and least favorite cards, His first PSA submission, his Pokémon collection, future man cave and much more.
Tony Reid–Your First Bowman card appeared in 2018 Bowman Draft. What was it like seeing yourself on a trading card for the first time?
Brennen Davis-It’s a pretty surreal moment. You grow up seeing people opening packs of cards and seeing players in all different sports. To finally get your own trading card, it was pretty special. I was pretty upset with the picture they chose but you can’t win them all. They took my junior year of high school picture and I was 160 pounds soaking wet.
TR–You already have over 800 cards, counting the countless parallels and inserts. Do you have a favorite card to this point?
BD-I would have to say the card Topps made when Ken Griffey, Jr. was handing me my MVP trophy at the Futures Game was pretty special. It was awesome. I do also like the retro South Bend card with my mustache. I think that is pretty funny. The thing about it was I had a moustache for two weeks in the playoffs because we were doing playoff ‘staches. That card just got plastered everywhere.
𝘼𝙏𝙃𝙇𝙀𝙏𝙀𝙎 𝙒𝙃𝙊 𝘾𝙊𝙇𝙇𝙀𝘾𝙏 ➡️ When your first PSA submission includes YOUR OWN 1/1 … 👀
— PSAcard (@PSAcard) March 7, 2022
We’re excited to welcome Chicago Cubs top prospect @BrennenDavis__ as a PSA customer, here showcasing his own 2021 Bowman Inception Foilfractor! 🤝⚾️ pic.twitter.com/A3AQ3RpEfB
TR–PSA tweeted a picture of you getting your first submission back. You had subbed some cards and were showing the results. How involved are you in the hobby today?
BD-I think the hobby is really cool and interesting. Someone had presented me with one of my one of ones and I thought it was really cool to have the opportunity to get a one of one of myself. I ended up making a trade with the guy. He is a Cubs fan, so I gave him some memorabilia for the card and we both ended up very happy. I thought that was pretty cool.
TR–You seem to have had a number of bobblehead giveaways at the stadiums so far. For your age to have multiple bobble heads is kind of a fun accomplishment in and of itself.
BD-I am down this year with a little injury but I had two bobblehead nights this year alone. It was bittersweet. I am happy with what I have accomplished to this point but my work is far from done.
TR–As a young kid, did you collect cards? Who were the athletes you gravitated to?
BD-I wish I was more into the hobby but I was more of a Pokémon guy. I definitely did my fair share of trading Pokémon cards. I don’t know if that counts. I would say going to D-backs games, growing up in Arizona, the Randy Johnson bobblehead giveaways and Scherzy (Max Scherzer) giveaways where the highlights of my childhood. That was pretty awesome.
TR–It’s very early on in the game but have you managed to hang on to any of your game used gear for a future man cave?
BD-I actually have. I have my Area Code jersey which sparked my getting noticed in baseball. I have a high school jersey. I have my first Spring Training jersey. I have my first Big League Spring Training jersey. I have my Low A jersey and then my Triple A jersey. I am missing a Double A jersey. Other than that, I need a Double A jersey and hopefully a Big League jersey and then the wall will be full. I have my Futures game jersey mounted with the awesome cleats I wore that day. I am pretty happy with what I have so far.
TR–The first autograph experience is a memorable one for athletes. Do you remember the first time you were asked for your autograph?
BD– I do. I just got drafted. I was 18. I was going to talk to my mom after the game and some kid came up and stopped me and asked me for my autograph. That was when the floodgates opened. More and more people asked after that. It’s an awesome experience when your signature turns into an autograph.
TR–What do you envision for yourself and your career down the road?
BD– I am looking forward to playing for the Cubs along with a bunch of the talent that we have coming through the farm. What they have done the past few years has really set the stage to be a really bright and exciting team moving forward. It’s good to see guys stepping up and playing well at their respective levels. I think it’s going to be really exciting in the next few years to be a Cubs fan.