Robert Davis Daniel is an American professional baseball pitcher who has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Los Angeles Angels and Atlanta Braves. Daniel, born June 11, 1997, attended Auburn University where he developed into a highly regarded pitching prospect before Tommy John surgery derailed his collegiate career. The Los Angeles Angels selected him in the seventh round of the 2019 MLB draft, and he worked his way through their minor league system before making his MLB debut in 2023.
Davis Daniel Bio
Robert Davis Daniel is a professional baseball pitcher who has competed at the highest levels of the sport. Known for his competitive fire and resilience, Daniel has overcome significant injuries throughout his career to establish himself as a Major League pitcher. His journey from a standout high school performer in Montgomery, Alabama, to MLB reflects his dedication to the sport.
Early Life and Background
Davis Daniel grew up in Montgomery, Alabama, where he attended Saint James School. During his senior year in 2016, Daniel established himself as one of the top high school pitchers in the country by posting an exceptional 11-1 record with a 0.70 earned run average and 137 strikeouts over 70 innings pitched. His dominant performance drew attention from major college programs and professional scouts alike.
Initially, Daniel committed to play college baseball at North Carolina State University as a sophomore. He later changed his commitment to Auburn University, where he continued to develop his pitching repertoire. His high school credentials were validated when the Chicago Cubs selected him in the 34th round of the 2016 MLB draft, though he chose to enroll at Auburn rather than begin his professional career.
Path to Professional Baseball
At Auburn University, Daniel immediately contributed as a freshman in 2017, appearing in 17 games with 16 starts. He posted a 4-3 record with a 5.89 ERA over 70 and one-third innings. The following season in 2018, he improved to record 70 strikeouts in 66 and two-thirds innings while maintaining a 4.86 ERA. His collegiate success earned him a spot in the prestigious Cape Cod Baseball League, where he played for the Brewster Whitecaps in 2017 and the Chatham Anglers in 2018.
Daniel entered his junior season in 2019 as Auburn’s Opening Night starter. Unfortunately, his campaign was cut short when he suffered an arm injury that required Tommy John surgery. The injury forced him to miss the remainder of the season, raising concerns about his professional future. Despite the setback, the Los Angeles Angels selected Daniel in the seventh round of the 2019 MLB draft with the 211th overall pick, believing in his potential to recover and thrive.
Davis Daniel Career
Minor League Development (2019-2022)
After signing with the Angels following the 2019 draft, Daniel did not appear in any games that season. The 2020 minor league season was canceled entirely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, further delaying his professional debut. Daniel finally began his professional career in 2021 with the Tri-City Dust Devils of High-A West. He quickly demonstrated his abilities, earning a promotion to the Rocket City Trash Pandas of Double-A South in late June before advancing to the Salt Lake Bees of Triple-A West in early September.
Across 23 games and 22 starts with the three affiliates, Daniel compiled a 4-7 record with a 3.92 ERA and impressive 154 strikeouts over 114 and two-thirds innings. His performance in his debut professional season validated the Angels’ investment in him despite his injury history. He returned to Salt Lake to begin the 2022 season and continued to refine his craft at the Triple-A level.
Los Angeles Angels Breakthrough (2022-2024)
On June 11, 2022, the Angels selected Daniel’s contract and promoted him to the major leagues for the first time. He was optioned back to Salt Lake two days later without making an appearance, but the call-up demonstrated the organization’s confidence in his development. He spent the remainder of the 2022 season with Salt Lake, posting a 6-7 record with a 4.49 ERA and 83 strikeouts over 102 and one-third innings.
Daniel began the 2023 season on the 60-day injured list due to a right shoulder strain, delaying his MLB debut further. He was activated from the injured list on August 31 and promptly promoted to the majors. On September 7, 2023, Daniel made his MLB debut in relief against the Cleveland Guardians, throwing three scoreless innings and showcasing his potential at the highest level.
The 2024 season marked Daniel’s first opportunity as a starting pitcher in MLB. On June 27, 2024, at Angel Stadium against the Detroit Tigers, Daniel delivered a masterful performance in his first MLB start. He pitched eight scoreless innings, surrendering just four hits while recording eight strikeouts with no walks, earning his first MLB victory. Despite this standout start, Daniel finished with a 1-4 record and 6.23 ERA across six appearances for the Angels. He was designated for assignment on December 18 following the acquisition of Chuckie Robinson.
Atlanta Braves (2025)
On December 20, 2024, Daniel was traded to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for Mitch Farris. He was optioned to the Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers to begin the 2025 season. In three appearances including two starts for Atlanta, Daniel compiled an 0-1 record with a 5.40 ERA and nine strikeouts over 10 innings of work. On August 16, Daniel was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to Triple-A Gwinnett. He elected free agency following the conclusion of the 2025 season on November 6.
Driving Style and Strengths
Daniel features a competitive approach on the mound with the ability to work efficiently through opposing lineups. His eight-inning, scoreless performance against Detroit in 2024 demonstrated his capacity to limit baserunners while generating swings and misses. He has shown the ability to pitch effectively at both the Triple-A and MLB levels, though he has experienced the natural adjustments required when facing major league hitters.
Notable Events and Milestones
Daniel’s journey includes notable obstacles that shaped his career trajectory. The Tommy John surgery during his junior year at Auburn delayed his professional debut and required an extended recovery period. His MLB debut on September 7, 2023, represented a significant milestone after years of rehabilitation and minor league development. The eight-inning, scoreless victory against Detroit stands as his most impressive major league performance to date.
Davis Daniel Career Wins
Throughout his professional career, Davis Daniel has accumulated wins at both the minor league and major league levels. His most significant victories came during his minor league tenure with various affiliates of the Angels organization before securing his first MLB win in 2024.
MLB Highlights
In MLB competition, Daniel has appeared in 10 games with six starts, compiling a 2-6 win-loss record alongside a 5.13 earned run average and 46 strikeouts. His first MLB victory came on June 27, 2024, against the Detroit Tigers in a dominant eight-inning performance at Angel Stadium. That game represented the pinnacle of his early major league career, featuring four hits allowed, eight strikeouts, and zero walks or runs permitted.
Minor League Achievements
Daniel’s minor league career includes multiple successful seasons across various levels. In 2021, he combined for four wins with the Tri-City Dust Devils, Rocket City Trash Pandas, and Salt Lake Bees while striking out 154 batters. He followed with six wins at Salt Lake in 2022 and continued to accumulate victories throughout his development.
| Competition Level | Record | ERA | Strikeouts |
|---|---|---|---|
| MLB Career | 2-6 | 5.13 | 46 |
| 2024 MLB (Angels) | 1-4 | 6.23 | 28 |
Davis Daniel Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Specific details regarding Davis Daniel’s family background and racing lineage are not available in the verified sources. Additional information about his parents or family connections to athletics is not publicly documented in confirmed records.
Personal Life
Public information regarding Davis Daniel’s personal life, including marital status or children, is not available in verified sources. He continues to pursue his professional baseball career following his tenure with the Atlanta Braves organization.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a transitional year for Davis Daniel as he joined the Atlanta Braves organization. After being acquired in a trade on December 20, 2024, Daniel reported to Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers to begin the season. He earned a promotion to the major league roster after three appearances with Gwinnett, though his time with Atlanta was limited to three total appearances including two starts.
During his stint with the Braves, Daniel logged an 0-1 record with a 5.40 ERA across 10 innings of work. The adjustment to a new organization and the inherent challenges of maintaining consistent performance at the major league level presented obstacles throughout the season. On August 16, Daniel was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to Triple-A Gwinnett, where he finished the remainder of the campaign.
Following the conclusion of the 2025 season, Daniel elected free agency on November 6. His career trajectory continues as he explores opportunities with other organizations while seeking to establish himself as a reliable MLB contributor. The 2025 season demonstrated his ability to compete at the highest level while highlighting areas for continued development.