Davis Daniel Bio
Robert Davis Daniel, commonly known as Davis Daniel, is an American professional baseball pitcher. Born on June 11, 1997, he has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Los Angeles Angels and the Atlanta Braves. A right-handed pitcher, Daniel was drafted in the seventh round of the 2019 MLB draft by the Los Angeles Angels and made his major league debut in 2023. He has navigated Tommy John surgery, minor league development, and multiple team transitions throughout his career.
Daniel attended Auburn University, where he built a reputation as a strikeout pitcher before an arm injury cut his junior season short. Since debuting in the majors, he has split time between starting and relief roles and has continued to refine his craft in the upper levels of the minor leagues.
Early Life and Background
Robert Davis Daniel was born on June 11, 1997, and grew up in Montgomery, Alabama. He attended Saint James School, where he emerged as one of the top high school pitchers in the state. As a sophomore, he committed to play college baseball at North Carolina State University, but later switched his commitment to Auburn University.
In 2016, his senior season at Saint James was dominant. Daniel went 11–1 with a 0.70 earned run average (ERA) and recorded 137 strikeouts over seventy innings. His performance drew attention from professional scouts, and the Chicago Cubs selected him in the 34th round of the 2016 MLB draft. Daniel chose not to sign and instead enrolled at Auburn to continue his development.
Path to Professional Baseball
Daniel’s college career at Auburn showcased his upside as a starting pitcher. During his freshman year in 2017, he appeared in 17 games and made 16 starts, posting a 4–3 record with a 5.89 ERA over seventy and one-third innings. The following season, he logged sixty-six and two-thirds innings, struck out seventy batters, and carried a 4.86 ERA. His stock remained high enough that the Milwaukee Brewers selected him in the 11th round of the 2018 MLB draft, but again Daniel opted to stay in school.
In the summers of 2017 and 2018, Daniel sharpened his skills in the Cape Cod Baseball League, a premier collegiate summer circuit, playing for the Brewster Whitecaps and the Chatham Anglers. As Auburn’s Opening Night starter in 2019, Daniel pitched two innings before leaving with an arm injury that ultimately required Tommy John surgery, forcing him to miss the rest of the season. Despite the injury, the Los Angeles Angels selected him in the seventh round of the 2019 MLB draft, and he signed with the organization.
Davis Daniel Career
Early Career (2019–2022)
After signing with the Angels, Daniel did not appear in a game in 2019 and missed the canceled 2020 minor league season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He made his professional debut in 2021, splitting time between the High-A West’s Tri-City Dust Devils, the Double-A South’s Rocket City Trash Pandas, and the Triple-A West’s Salt Lake Bees. Across 23 games and 22 starts, he went 4–7 with a 3.92 ERA and 154 strikeouts over 114 and two-thirds innings, demonstrating his strikeout ability despite the workload.
Daniel returned to Salt Lake to begin the 2022 season. On June 11, 2022, the Angels selected his contract and promoted him to the majors, though he was optioned back two days later without appearing in a game. He spent the rest of the year in the minors, going 6–7 with a 4.49 ERA and 83 strikeouts over 102 and one-third innings for the Bees.
Los Angeles Angels Breakthrough (2023–2024)
Daniel’s path to the majors hit another delay in February 2023, when a right shoulder strain landed him on the 60-day injured list. After activation in late August, he was optioned to Salt Lake before receiving another promotion. On September 7, 2023, Daniel made his MLB debut against the Cleveland Guardians, throwing three scoreless innings in relief.
The 2024 season marked his real introduction as a starter. On June 27, 2024, Daniel made his first MLB start at Angel Stadium against the Detroit Tigers, pitching eight scoreless innings, allowing four hits, striking out eight, and earning his first major league win. Across six starts for the Angels that year, he finished 1–4 with a 6.23 ERA and 28 strikeouts in thirty and one-third innings. At Triple-A Salt Lake, he went 9–7 with a 5.42 ERA in 21 starts. He was designated for assignment following the acquisition of Chuckie Robinson on December 18, 2024.
Atlanta Braves Era (2025)
On December 20, 2024, Daniel was traded to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for Mitch Farris. He began 2025 with the Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers and received a brief call-up to Atlanta. In three appearances, including two starts, he posted an 0–1 record and a 5.40 ERA with nine strikeouts over ten innings. On August 16, 2025, he was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to Gwinnett. Following the season, on November 6, 2025, Daniel elected free agency. He later signed a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds on January 22, 2026.
Driving Style and Strengths
Daniel is known for his swing-and-miss profile, built around a power repertoire that generated 154 strikeouts in 114 and two-thirds innings across the minors in 2021. His eight scoreless innings against the Tigers highlighted his ability to miss bats and limit walks when commanding his fastball. Continued refinement of his secondary offerings and pitch efficiency will be central to his development as he works to secure a stable major league role.
Notable Events and Milestones
His MLB debut on September 7, 2023, and his first start and win against the Tigers on June 27, 2024, stand as the defining moments of his young career. Drafted twice before ultimately signing with the Angels in 2019, Daniel has repeatedly overcome injuries, including Tommy John surgery and a shoulder strain, to reach the highest level.
Davis Daniel Career Wins
Davis Daniel has accumulated his professional victories across multiple minor league levels and through his limited major league opportunities. His first MLB win came in his first MLB start, a memorable eight-inning performance against Detroit in 2024.
Major League Highlights
Daniel has recorded one MLB win through the 2025 season. His first and only major league victory came on June 27, 2024, when he shut down the Detroit Tigers over eight scoreless innings at Angel Stadium. Through the 2025 season, his major league totals include a 2–6 win–loss record, a 5.13 ERA, and 46 strikeouts.
Other Wins and Performances
In the minors, Daniel has produced consistent strikeout numbers, including a 9–7 record with Salt Lake in 2024 and a 4–7 mark with a 3.92 ERA across three affiliates in 2021. He has also performed in the Cape Cod Baseball League, a respected proving ground for top amateur talent.
Davis Daniel Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Publicly available information about Davis Daniel’s parents and extended family is limited. He grew up in Montgomery, Alabama, and attended Saint James School, where his pitching talents first drew widespread attention.
Personal Life
Details about Daniel’s marital status, spouse, and children are not publicly confirmed. He is known to be an American by nationality and continues to pursue his professional baseball career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a transitional year for Davis Daniel. After being traded to the Atlanta Braves in December 2024, he spent much of the year with the Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers, where he continued to develop his craft and serve as rotation depth for Atlanta. His major league opportunities were limited to three appearances, including two starts, in which he posted an 0–1 record and a 5.40 ERA with nine strikeouts over ten innings.
On August 16, 2025, Daniel was removed from the Braves’ 40-man roster and sent outright to Triple-A Gwinnett. He elected free agency on November 6, 2025, and later signed a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds on January 22, 2026. The 2025 campaign underscored both the challenges of staying on a major league roster and Daniel’s persistence in seeking another opportunity at the top level.
