Braxton Davidson Stats & Scouting Report

AB	3
AVG	.333
OBP	.333
SLG	.333
HR	0

Full name Braxton Cain Thomas Davidson
Born 06/18/1996 in Asheville, NC
Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 230 / Bats: L / Throws: L
School T.C. Roberson
Drafted in the 1st round (32nd overall) by the Atlanta Braves in 2014 (signed for $1,705,000).

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Davidson faces the tough profile of a high school first baseman, a demographic that was not drafted in the first round from 2009-2012, but his combination of hit and power tools could have him in play in that range a year after Dominic Smith went No. 11. The lefthanded hitter has at least plus raw power and hit three home runs in four games at the Tournament of Stars. He showed swing and miss tendencies on the showcase circuit but made an offensive transformation heading into the spring season. He has become a much better hitter, to the point that his above-average hit tool is likely better than his power in game action. Davidson, who is strong and quick to the ball, has shown the ability to drive the ball with authority to the opposite field. He is an intelligent hitter with strong awareness of the strike zone. After a dedicated workout regime he showed a trimmer, leaner and more athletic physique at 6-foot-1, 210 pounds this spring. His well below-average speed limits him to a corner profile, and first base is probably his best defensive position. A North Carolina commit, he has a fringe-average arm that is best suited for left if he doesn't play in the dirt.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Davidson was drafted 32nd overall in 2014 after displaying impressive power on the high school showcase circuit. Though his raw power is obvious, he has yet to parlay that into run-producing numbers due to a low batting average caused by high strikeout totals. Davidson has feel for the strike zone but is at times too willing to take a walk and relies too often on minor league umpires to make the correct call on close pitches. He also tends to struggle with inside fastballs, which contributed to his 184 strikeouts, the fifth-most in the minors in 2016. While Davidson needs to be more aggressive at the plate, he does have a smooth swing from the left side. Though not blessed with speed, he is an intelligent baserunner. He has developed into a solid right fielder after moving from left early in his pro career and possesses enough arm strength and accuracy to remain at the position. The Braves realize they may have been overaggressive in promoting Davidson to high Class A in 2016 and will probably have him open the 2017 campaign at the same level, with their new Florida State League affiliate.
The 32nd overall pick in the 2014 draft, Davidson had several strong performances on the showcase circuit prior to his senior year of high school, including a three-home run performance in the 2013 USA Baseball Tournament of Stars. He was a first-team prep All-American prior to signing for $1,705,000. Davidson is a disciplined hitter with impressive strike-zone judgment and above-average raw power that has yet to emerge with consistency during games. He led the South Atlantic League and the Braves organization with 84 walks in 2015, but he also struck out 27 percent of the time while getting beat at times on inside pitches. The lefthanded hitter can drive the ball to all fields and possesses the rare combination of true power and patience. Davidson has transformed his still-maturing body as well as his defense since signing. A prep first baseman and occasional center fielder, he has made strong progress while making the move to right field as a pro. His routes to flyballs still need honing, but his arm strength is above-average with solid accuracy. The Braves challenged Davidson last season by having him open the campaign at low Class A as an 18-year-old. He proved strong enough to handle the ups and downs and should be ready to move up a level to high Class A Carolina in 2016.
After several strong performances on the showcase circuit in 2013, including a three-homer performance in the Tournament of Stars, Davidson was the 32nd overall pick in the 2014 draft. He started to drive the ball with consistency midway through his stint in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League, where he ranked as the No. 12 prospect. Davidson's strength is his plus hit tool. He's a patient hitter with an advanced feel for the strike zone and has made noticeable improvements with his contact rate over the past year. Despite failing to hit a home run in his first taste of pro ball, Davidson has plus raw power to all fields. He's quick to the ball and uses his natural strength to drive pitches with authority from the left side of the plate. His on-base percentage projects to be high due to his ability to draw walks. His below-average speed plays higher due to his intelligence on the basepaths. Davidson made the shift from left to right field in instructional league and has enough arm strength to stay there. If not, he could return to his high school position of first base. The Braves will be patient with Davidson, who turned 18 two weeks after the draft. A potential 20-home run hitter, he will challenge for a spot at low Class A Rome in spring training.

Draft Prospects

Davidson faces the tough profile of a high school first baseman, a demographic that was not drafted in the first round from 2009-2012, but his combination of hit and power tools could have him in play in that range a year after Dominic Smith went No. 11. The lefthanded hitter has at least plus raw power and hit three home runs in four games at the Tournament of Stars. He showed swing and miss tendencies on the showcase circuit but made an offensive transformation heading into the spring season. He has become a much better hitter, to the point that his above-average hit tool is likely better than his power in game action. Davidson, who is strong and quick to the ball, has shown the ability to drive the ball with authority to the opposite field. He is an intelligent hitter with strong awareness of the strike zone. After a dedicated workout regime he showed a trimmer, leaner and more athletic physique at 6-foot-1, 210 pounds this spring. His well below-average speed limits him to a corner profile, and first base is probably his best defensive position. A North Carolina commit, he has a fringe-average arm that is best suited for left if he doesn't play in the dirt.

Minor League Top Prospects

Davidson hit just .242 with 10 home runs in 124 games, but managers and pitchers felt he put together some of the toughest at-bats in the league. "His ability to manage the strike zone is very advanced," Greenville manager Darren Fenster said. "He had an approach of a polished college player. He would pick his spots to attack early and then he would have drawn-out at-bats," Davidson uses the whole field, has a clear plan at the plate and is starting to tap into his plus raw power. He's going to strike out (27 percent of the time this year) but also gets on base thanks to plenty of walks (17 percent). Davidson moved from left field to right this year. He has improved to become a potentially average defender with an average arm. As advanced as his approach is at the plate, he is less savvy on the bases, where he was thrown out six times in seven steal attempts.
The Braves drafted Davidson with their first-round pick (No. 32 overall), then signed him for the slot value of $1.705 million. He has impressive bat speed and strength, so his plus raw power should be his calling card. Davidson has improved his contact rate and hitting ability over the course of the last year, and he can sting the ball to the opposite field. His over-the-fence power didn't show up in games in his pro debut, as he went homerless in 50 games between the GCL and the Rookie-level Appalachian League and had trouble getting the ball in the air. His patient hitting approach helps him draw plenty of walks to boost his on-base percentage. A high school first baseman/center fielder, Davidson played left field in his pro debut. With his fringy arm strength and restricted running ability, left field and first base are his only defensive options.