MLB draft: Clemson shortstop selected in first round by A's

by Brandon Rink - Staff Writer - Monday, June 3, 2019, 10:11 PM

Clemson graduate shortstop Logan Davidson was selected in the MLB draft first round with the 29th overall pick by the Oakland A's on Monday.

The Charlotte native picked up second-team All-ACC honors this season, leading the Tigers with 35 extra-base hits, including top numbers in doubles (18) and triples (2) and ranking second in home runs (15) and RBIs (55). Davidson also led the Tigers in walks (45) and on-base percentage (.412; min. 25 at-bats).

Davidson tallied 42 home runs, 142 RBIs, 45 doubles and two triples over the last three seasons, hitting .290 with an .403 on-base percentage.

The A's pick has a slot value of $2.42 million. A second-straight season with a first-round selection for Clemson (Seth Beer at No. 28 to Astros last year), Davidson is the highest A's pick of a Clemson player since 2014 and their second-round selection of RHP Daniel Gossett. Eli White (2016; sixth round; now with Rangers organization) and Pat Krall (2017; sixth round) have also been recent Oakland picks of Tigers.

Clemson to Oakland.

Welcome to The Town, @Logand_8!#RootedInOakland pic.twitter.com/L0ImSFRIgr
— Oakland A's (@Athletics) June 4, 2019

Davidson was rated as the No. 22 prospect in the draft by MLB.com. MLB.com Davidson profile:

"As a North Carolina high schooler, Logan emerged as an early-round prospect for a handful of teams late in the 2016 Draft process. He ultimately turned down the Phillies as 30th-rounder to attend Clemson, where his father Mark had played en route to a big league career. Much like former Clemson star Seth Beer, an Astros first-rounder in 2018, Davidson has confounded evaluators with the dichotomy between his success with metal bats (.921 OPS, 38 homers in two-plus years with the Tigers) and struggles with wood (.570 OPS, three homers in two summers in the Cape Cod League). If scouts were convinced that Davidson will hit with wood, he'd likely be the first college shortstop drafted in June. A switch-hitter, he has some timing issues and a swing that tends to get long, leading to strikeouts. His strength and leverage already generate plus raw power, and he should have more as he fills out his lanky 6-foot-3 frame. There are no holes in the rest of Davidson's game. He produces solid to plus run times and uses his speed to steal a few bases and cover ground at shortstop. He's tall for the position but should be able to remain there with his athleticism and strong arm."

Congrats to @Logand_8, who was drafted in the first round (No. 29 overall) by the @Athletics!

He is #Clemson's second first-round @MLB draft pick in the last two years (@beer_seth) & 15th in Tiger history!#ClemsonFamily pic.twitter.com/e7YgOAxxUS
— Clemson Baseball (@ClemsonBaseball) June 4, 2019

Logan Davidson is #RootedInOakland! pic.twitter.com/HmWTIRUkzw
— Oakland A's (@Athletics) June 4, 2019

I understand why Davidson went No. 29, there’s some swing-and-miss and he struggled in the Cape. But he’s got top-10-picks talent; I think he’s got the highest upside of all the college shortstops taken in the first round, as a switch-hitter with power and a rifle arm at short. https://t.co/rFPY1QFXoe
— Aaron Fitt (@aaronfitt) June 4, 2019

Logan Davidson is headed to the @Athletics!!

Congrats, Logan! ??#ACCBASE | #MLBDraft pic.twitter.com/zS8AAsTL1z
— ACC Baseball (@ACCBaseball) June 4, 2019

Some career ? on @Logand_8:

? First-round @MLB draft pick ??
? Started all 187 games at SS ??
? 42 HR ??
? 37 SB ??
? First Tiger in history with 10+ HR & 10+ SB in 3 different years ??
? .952 FLD% ??
? Graduated in six semesters ??
? 3.99 GPA ??#Clemson ?? pic.twitter.com/Z1lpxrTviv
— Clemson Baseball (@ClemsonBaseball) June 4, 2019

The @Athletics are getting a great player and an even better person. Congrats, Logan Davidson! @ClemsonBaseball #MLBDraft pic.twitter.com/VZvW4AUs0z
— Jim Clements (@ClemsonPrez) June 4, 2019