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."
Drafted as a catcher, Davis reached the majors less than two years after he was drafted and has taken over as the Pirates' starting right fielder. Through his first 38 games, he hit 232/.329/.384 with five home runs and 15 RBIS.
For Bourassa, the process of scouting Davis was more complicated than it would have been most years.
The coronavirus pandemic cut short Davis' sophomore season in 2020 and canceled the Cape Cod League and USA Baseball's Collegiate National Team. Performance in those summer settings tends to authenticate top draft prospects.
Further, social distancing restrictions meant teams had to meet with players over Zoom as opposed to in-person.
"We hopped on a Zoom call and that's kind of the extent of what you got to get to know somebody," Bourassa said. "So, weirdly, with ...
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."
Drafted as a catcher, Davis reached the majors less than two years after he was drafted and has taken over as the Pirates' starting right fielder. Through his first 38 games, he hit 232/.329/.384 with five home runs and 15 RBIS.
For Bourassa, the process of scouting Davis was more complicated than it would have been most years.
The coronavirus pandemic cut short Davis' sophomore season in 2020 and canceled the Cape Cod League and USA Baseball's Collegiate National Team. Performance in those summer settings tends to authenticate top draft prospects.
Further, social distancing restrictions meant teams had to meet with players over Zoom as opposed to in-person.
"We hopped on a Zoom call and that's kind of the extent of what you got to get to know somebody," Bourassa said. "So, weirdly, with ...
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Baseball America (Digital) - 1 Issue, September 2023