Chicago White Sox: Matt Davidson joins Babe Ruth in exclusive company

Shohei Ohtani is not the only player joining Babe Ruth in two way player history this year. Chicago White Sox third baseman Matt Davidson has joined the Bambino in some exclusive company as well.

Heading into the 2018 season, it was expected that if a player was to make two way history this year, it would be Shohei Ohtani. The Japanese sensation was coming over as a true two way player, something that had not been seen in the majors since the days of Babe Ruth. While Ohtani has held up his end of the bargain when healthy, he has not been the only player making history on the mound and in the batter’s box.

Thanks to an increase in position players pitching, Chicago White Sox third baseman Matt Davidson has also put his name in the record books alongside Ruth. In hitting his 20th homer of the 2018 campaign, Davidson and Ruth became the only players to have that many home runs with at least three trips to the mound in a season.

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It may not be that much of a surprise that Davidson is having that much success at the plate. After finally getting a chance to start in 2017, he has taken another step forward in his development, posting a .240/.333/.466 batting line, with his 20 homers and 22 doubles. Davidson has had a better approach at the plate, dramatically increasing his walk rate to 11.3% this season, while lowering his strikeout rate by just under four points.

He has also been more than just a novelty act on the mound. In his three innings, Davidson has been surprisingly effective, allowing a hit and a walk while striking out two batters. He may not necessarily be the answer for the White Sox in the bullpen, but in what has become a lost season, why not give him more of a look?

For their part, the White Sox are not planning on giving Davidson a look in a high pressure situation and turning him into a viable two way player. However, in those brief treks to the mound, he has displayed a four pitch arsenal with decent command. Davidson may be far more than a novelty act.

Chicago White Sox third baseman Matt Davidson has made history, joining Babe Ruth as the only players with 20+ homers and at least three pitching appearances in a season. If the White Sox change their minds, there could be another viable two way player in the game already.