Logan Davidson

Position: SS
Level: SS A
Affiliate: Vermont Lake Monsters
League: NY-Penn League
Born: 12/26/1997 (Age: 26)
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 185
B/T: Both / Right
Acquired: 1st Rd. (#29 Overall), 2019 MLB First-Year Player Draft (OAK)

Prospect Spotlight

Although highly touted out of high school in 2016, Davidson fell to the 30th round due to his strong commitment to Clemson. The 21-year-old went to the A’s in this year’s draft after an impressive three year career in the ACC, agreeing to a full slot bonus as the 29th overall pick.  With Short-Season Vermont, Davidson is slashing .237/.341/.337 with a K:BB ratio of 48:28 across 50 games.  I have seen him multiple times over the summer.

Listed at 6-foot-3 and 185 pounds, Davidson is wiry strong with an athletic frame and room to add muscle. He is a switch-hitter with a very similar swing from both sides.  The 21-year-old’s best tool is his raw pop, showing an ability to drive the ball to the pull side during BP.  However, there are legitimate concerns about the degree to which his 42 career home runs at Clemson were aided by metal bats.  To date, Davidson has struggled to perform with wooden bats, albeit in two relatively short sample sizes on the Cape last summer and in his 2019 pro debut.  The use of wood exposes his long swing, with the ball not jumping off his bat like it did in college.  Additionally, Davidson’s lack of bat speed causes him to swing through hittable fastballs.  While his pro career is not off to the start he would have hoped, the 21-year-old has not expanded the zone, exhibiting solid plate discipline.  The young infielder combines slightly above-average speed with good instincts in order to take an extra base.  However, his speed may come down a tick if he fills out his frame.  Defensively, Davidson has the arm strength and soft hands necessary to stay on the left side, but concerns about his lateral quickness and range may force a move to third.

I don’t see the all-round combination of skills required to be a regular in the MLB.  However, Davidson’s patient approach from both sides, infield versatility and baseball pedigree (his dad was a former big leaguer), may allow him to fill a utility role, FV 40.