MESA, Ariz. — In a recent A’s defensive drill at Hohokam Stadium, an outfielder getting reps caught manager Bob Melvin’s eye.

“We did cutoffs and relays the other day, and it’s the best I’ve seen him throw,” Melvin said.

The outfielder was Khris Davis, who is known for his quick hands. His core strength. His durability. His consistency — his first two A’s seasons were nearly identical. His power, including to the opposite field. Even his quirky personality.

But not his arm. At least not in a positive way.

Davis is trying to change that.

Even though the A’s plan for Davis to be the primary designated hitter this season, he made a concerted effort in the offseason to improve his throwing arm to make him a more well-rounded defender, just in case he’s summoned to play the field.

He’s continuing the work in spring training.

“I just have to be comfortable throwing a baseball,” Davis said. “I’ll have my good days, I’ll have my bad days. I’ll be ready for whatever they need me to do. If they need me to go out there and play outfield, I want to be able to be serviceable. If they need me to DH, I’ve got to put together my best ABs.”

During the defensive drill, Melvin noticed Davis “hit the cutoff man every time, he had something on his throw. It’s been impressive to see for a guy who’s forecasted as a DH and continues to work like he has.”

In the offseason, Davis did less hitting than usual and much more throwing. For example, he threw from his knees into a net. Over and over. It put the focus on his upper body, his arm slot, his accuracy. The results have been promising, and people have been noticing.

“Just tried to get a feel for throwing hard because I forgot what it feels like to throw hard,” Davis said. “Remembering that is what I’m trying to work on.”

It wasn’t always this way. Davis threw fine through youth leagues, through his years at Deer Valley High School in Glendale, Ariz., at Cal State Fullerton. But things changed when he began playing pro ball in 2009, a prospect in the Brewers’ system.

He started worrying about overthrowing the cutoff man. About costing his team runs. He wasn’t throwing as hard. As far. As accurately. Negative thoughts surfaced. A mental block. He got a lot of advice from a lot of people. It didn’t necessarily help.

“When I got into the minors, that’s kind of when I developed the yips,” Davis said. “College, I felt it was a good throwing time for me. I mean, I didn’t have the reputation I do now.”

Through it all, Davis continued to hit. It was a natural thing. Go up and take hacks and do damage. Always positive thoughts. Always confident. Hitting got him to the big leagues. Hitting got him to Oakland in one of the best trades of the Billy Beane/David Forst administration. Hitting got him a $10 million salary.

But throwing has been a burden. Not like it was in the minors, but still an issue. Davis never stopped addressing it, and now he’s making noticeable strides.

“I’ve been getting compliments,” Davis said. “That’s what fuels me, my teammates recognizing that I’m trying my hardest to be better for the team.”

Melvin is among those offering compliments: “I think his arm is better this year. He likes to play out there. It gives us some versatility during the season.”

Better — as in stronger, or more accurate?

“Both,” Melvin said.

Told that Melvin said the throws in the cutoff/relay drill were the best he’s seen, Davis said, “It’s the best I ever felt.”

Davis continues to work with A’s outfield coach Mike Aldrete, who commended Davis’ work ethic and how he gets jumps and chases down balls. Throwing has been a work in progress.

“It’s one of those things, very little of it is physical,” Aldrete said. “I think he’s gotten to a point where he’s comfortable with his throwing slot, and that really helps him from a mental standpoint.”

Early in spring training, Aldrete worked on Davis’ slot by having him throw into a cage and not worry about where the ball went. All that mattered was feeling comfortable with the throwing motion. They repeated the drill several times.

“You’re not making any bad throws. That net’s catching it every time,” Aldrete said. “I’m not saying this is the answer. But I do know from our conversations, he just wants to be good.”

Aldrete can relate at some level with Davis. The former outfielder and first baseman enjoyed a 10-year playing career, but when he became a big-league coach on Melvin’s staff in Seattle in 2004, he experienced throwing issues.

There’s no room for wildness as a BP pitcher. When you’re throwing to Ichiro Suzuki, Bret Boone and the like, you better throw strikes. So Aldrete tried different tactics to get his control back, including what he did with Davis early in camp.

“I was not comfortable that it was going to go right where I wanted it to go,” Aldrete said. “I tried and just couldn’t do it. I threw into a big net and wasn’t concerned about where it was going. I was able to work on getting my slot.”

Davis has played left field in six spring training games and served as DH in five games. The A’s figure the DH role will be more prominent once the season begins with Matt Joyce and Chad Pinder sharing left-field duties.

But Davis still will be seen in the outfield before games, glove in hand and arm in motion.

“Just because it’s a DH day,” Davis said, “doesn’t mean I won’t stop working.”