A's top prospect ranking: Why Logan Davidson comes in at No. 7 overall

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Editor's note: Over the next two weeks, we will examine the top 10 prospects in the A's organization. For each player, we will provide a scouting report and a realistic timetable for reaching the major leagues, as well as what he needs to do to stay there.

No. 7 - Logan Davidson, SS

The A's were pleasantly surprised when Davidson was still available at No. 29 in this year's MLB Draft. The switch-hitter slashed .291/.412/.574 last season as a junior at Clemson, belting 15 home runs and driving in 55 runs, while also stealing 17 bases.

Davidson, 21, played 54 games for Vermont in the New York-Penn League this summer, hitting .239/.345/.332 with four homers, 12 RBI, and five stolen bases.

"He's been on our radar since high school," A's scouting director Eric Kubota said in June. "We like Logan because he brings value at the plate and in the field. As a shortstop who has power, we think there's a lot of upside still with the bat."

Davidson is rated as an above-average defensive shortstop with plus power and speed. He has struggled, at least early on, making the transition from aluminum to wood bats, but the A's don't read too much into that.

"We definitely believe in the power," Kubota said. "If everything comes together, we're hoping that he's productive more in the middle of the order."

Davidson could begin next season either at Class-A Beloit or High-A Stockton. He's still likely a few years away from reaching the big leagues, with 2022 or 2023 as a realistic target.

[RELATED: How Davidson compares to Corey Seager]

By that time, the A's could have a need at shortstop, especially if they don't sign Marcus Semien to a contract extension. Even if they do, Semien will be approaching his mid-30s by the time Davidson is major league ready.

Obviously, Davidson still has a long way to go but the potential is there to become a terrific middle-infield contributor, both offensively and defensively.

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