PIRATES CHOOSE DAVIS IN 'COMPLICATED' 2021 DRAFT
Baseball America|September 2023
Adam Bourassa's own major league dreams fell short, but he's finding another way to make his mark on the game.
KYLE GLASER
PIRATES CHOOSE DAVIS IN 'COMPLICATED' 2021 DRAFT

Bourassa, 42, was the 2003 national college defensive player of the year as Wake Forest's center fielder. After playing four years in the minors and another in independent ball, he bounced around a few jobs in the game before becoming the Pirates' Midwest area scout in 2016.

In that role, he signed 2021 No. 1 overall pick Henry Davis out of Louisville.

"Just watching him play even as a freshman, you noticed right away the intensity and the aggressiveness he plays with," Bourassa said.

"Just the intent and the willingness and want to win and be successful. I don't think anyone ever questions how much Henry wants it, and it shows the second he puts on the uniform and gets on the field."

This story is from the September 2023 edition of Baseball America.

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This story is from the September 2023 edition of Baseball America.

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