The Cedar Rapids Kernels have been on a tear as of late, going 7-3 in their last ten which has propelled them to the top of the Midwest League’s Western Division standings. The Kernels offense has been leading the way during the run, and one player in particular had the hot bat last week.
Jaylin Davis hit safely in six of his seven games between May 15th and May 21st while displaying breathtaking power. Coming into the week, Davis had four home runs on the season. Coming out of the week, he had nine. After a solid 2/4 start in game one of the series with the Peoria Chiefs, which included a double and an RBI for Davis, he touched all the bases not once, not twice, but three times as he went yard in three of his four at bats in game two. Davis would extend his hit streak to five games in the series finale.
Jaylin Davis (Image/milb.com)
As if the three homer game was not enough, Davis was making news again two games later when he had two more bombs to open the four game road series against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. He had three hits total in that game with three RBI. Davis would finish out the series with three hits in his next three games, raising his batting average from .220 to .252 in just one week.
After 12 games in 2016 with Elizabethton to start his pro career, Davis was quickly promoted to Cedar Rapids where he slashed .250/.339/.469 with nine homers and 29 RBI in just under 200 at bats. Last year he split time almost equally in the corner outfield positions, with a few games in center as well. This season he has started all 37 of his games in right field while posting a similar slash line of .252/.309/.503 with 9 homers and 23 RBI.
Coming into last week, Davis wasn’t even on the statistical radar of many Midwest League fans. Now he stands alone as the home run leader. He has also broken into the top 10 in RBI, total bases, and runs. While the Kernels hope these offensive outbursts continue from Davis, the greater hope is that they keep leading to victories as Cedar Rapids looks to lock up a spot in this year’s playoffs.
Davis’s Stat Line for May 15th through May 21st
11/29, 5 HR, 3 2B, 8 RBI, 1 SB
Congratulations to Jaylin Davis on being named Legends on Deck’s Midwest League Player of the Week for 5/15-5/21.
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