Logan Davidson Picks Up Where He Left Off

The Athletics simply cannot wait to see more of shortstop Logan Davidson. Already, there is more of him to see. 

Since joining the organization as a 2019 first-rounder from Clemson, Davidson has added 15 pounds of muscle through strenuous training. At 6-foot-3, 210 pounds, he is developing into a strong hitter with good baseball sense.

Now he needs the games to show what he can do after a long summer at the alternate training site.

“Logan’s been great (in spring training),” A’s farm director Ed Sprague said. “He’s picked up right where he left off.” 

The 23-year-old has plus tools, but he has something else that intrigues Oakland: baseball smarts. He’s a sound, instinctual player with a sense of the game. That may come from growing up with a father who played in the majors. Mark Davidson was part of the Twins’ 1987 World Series-winning team. 

“He’s a pro’s pro,” Sprague said of the younger Davidson. “I would put him in the Chad Pinder category of a true professional who has come through the system. He has a routine and sticks to it every day. That’s one of those things: You never have to look around to see where Logan’s at—he’s always in the right place.” 

The switch-hitter used his time at the alt site well, improving his swing from both sides of the plate. While he had never been a high-average hitter in college, Sprague believes Davidson now ranks as a solid-average hitter with power potential.  

Despite his size, Sprague thinks Davidson has an excellent chance to stick at shortstop, at least early in his career.

“He’s very fundamental up the middle,” Sprague said. “He’s not flashy, but he does everything right.”

Davidson hit .239 with four homers in 54 games at short-season Vermont in 2019. That came after hitting 15 homers and batting over .290 in each of his final two seasons at Clemson.

Now, after the coronavirus pandemic canceled the 2020 minor league season, the A’s will have a chance to see what he can do in a full minor league campaign. 

A’s ACORNS

— Righthander Daulton Jefferies was so impressive in spring training that he earned a job in the rotation. Sprague says the biggest difference is a much-improved slider that the righthander was throwing with a better feel. 

— Catcher Tyler Soderstrom continued to draw raves for his hitting ability through spring training. The 2020 first-round pick out of Turlock (Calif.) High showed improvement behind the plate as he embarks on his first professional season. 

— Tooled-up outfielder Buddy Reed performed so well defensively in spring training that he was considered as a possibility for a big league job before going down with a right quad strain that ended his chances.