Javier Vaz slapped a line drive down the left field line that appeared destined to put the go-ahead run in scoring position for Northwest Arkansas in the ninth inning at Hammons Field on Thursday. But Chase Davis would have none of that. The Cardinals’ 2023 first round pick got full extension and snared the ball into his glove with a diving catch to snuff out the threat.
“He’s a ton of fun to watch – I remember playing (against) him, but I never realized how good of an outfielder he was. He covers a ton of ground, he’s got a great arm,” said fellow first-round pick J.J. Wetherholt before the game.
Nathan Church delivered the game winner in the bottom half of the inning as Springfield evened the six-game series against the Naturals and improved to 11-12 overall with a 3-2 win.
An accomplished outfielder at the University of Arizona, Davis credits Jon Jay – a key defender on the Cardinals last world championship team turned St. Louis assistant coach – for continuing to refine his fielding skills.
“He’s someone that has (us) doing drills with special, unique balls that kind of bounce around and enforce and drive that point home, as far as (having) control with the ball and being smooth,” Davis said.
One notable aspect of Davis’ ninth-inning gem was after sliding on the outfield grass, his No. 5 “Cashew Chicken” theme jersey was still dry.  It’s been tough for Davis and Wetherholt – and the Double-A Cards – to find consistency in the first month of the season, as rainouts, long delays and doubleheaders have disrupted routines. Wetherholt missed a week due to illness and he was pulled from Thursday’s game in the sixth inning.
What do you call a Superman-style grab while wearing a Cashew Chickens alternate uniform?
We call it The Chase Davis @Sgf_Cardinals | @Cardinals | @CardsPlayerDev pic.twitter.com/LT171aPyUB
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) May 2, 2025
“We’re off to a good start as a team. I think for me, I want to make some changes offensively, be a little more consistent,” Davis said. “I think staying in the zone more, from a swing standpoint, decision (pitch selection) standpoint – it’s not gotten too out of hand, with (chasing pitches) but I definitely want to swing at more strikes.”
Chase went 0-for-3 on Thursday; he’s slashing .266/.398.778 with two home runs in 79 at-bats, and he’s produced six multi-hit games – including April 8 at Amarillo where he launched both dingers. He’s struggled against left-handed pitching, going 2-for-20 with 10 strikeouts against southpaws.
“Lefty or righty on the mound, the ball’s got to be in the zone – and its you against the ball. That’s something I’m learning up to this point, it’s not really you versus the guy, it’s really the ball, you’re hitting the ball – whether it’s from the left side or right side, it’s no difference.”
After an 0-for-14 start that included several tough-luck outs, Wetherholt’s bat has played as advertised. J.J. is slashing .309/.400/.836 with one home run – a two-run shot on April 16, part of a three-hit night  that showcased his ability to drive the ball to the opposite field.
“It felt good, I knew I hit that ball really well – I looked up and I figured it was a home run, I looked up and someone is throwing the ball and it was like, what’s going on? Come to find out it hit the fence behind there and bounced back in, but yeah that was a good feeling.”
