Rank History
| Year | Team | Position | Team Rank | OFP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | OAK | SS | 6 | 45 |
Grades Update: Feb 2021
| OFP | Role | Hit | Power | Field | Arm | Run |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45 | 40 | 40 | 50 | 45 | 55 | 60 |
Feb 2021 Report
Evaluator: Geoff Pontes
Age: 23 yr
Height: 6-3
Weight: 185 lbs
Hits/Throws: S/R
Acquired: 2019 Round 1
RuleV: 2022
Physical Description: Tall, lean, long limbed; wiry strong, twitchy, high level of conditioning. Looks like he can add 15 to 20 pounds of good mass in the coming years. High level athlete.
Hit: Switch-hitter, advanced approach, can border on passive. Swing and approach are stronger from the left side than the right. Similar setup on each side, slightly open stance, front leg starts from toe plant to leg kick, deep bend in his knees, wide extension from base during swing, hands start high. This is where the similarities end between Davidson's lefty and righty swing end. His right handed swing is aggressive with a high level of effort leading to a longer swing path, and subsequently a lack of barrel control. From the left side his movement is more natural, more fluid, free and easy. Leading to a short compact swing that does a good job of staying inside the ball. That said there is absolutely zone miss from both sides of the plate. It's a Jekyll and Hyde strong side platoon switch-hitting profile. Grade: 40
Power: Bat speed, and raw strength lead to plus batting practice raw power. Ability to pull balls over the wall from the left side. Power grade is above average to borderline plus versus right handed pitching. But is below average in game versus left handed pitching as his right handed swing's contact woes sap power. Loft in bat path from the left, more uppercut finish from the right. Some projection to add more in game if right handed hitting improves. Grade: 50
Field: Elite range, and body control, but below average hands present Davidson with a unique conundrum. Despite natural infield actions and twitch, he struggled in many of my looks at short during his amateur career. I will note he looked better in my follow up research, watching around 16 Vermont games during the writing of this report. It's fringe average defense at shortstop long term with the skills to move anywhere on the diamond. Grade: 45
Arm: Above average arm, good online carry and zip, quick release, fairly accurate in terms of throws to first. Shows the athleticism to make smooth throws in the run. Grade: 55
Run: Easy plus speed, flys out of the box and utilizes his speed well on the bases. Above average to plus base stealer, with good range in the field and quick first step. Grade: 60
Overall: A very difficult overall read, as Davidson has a variety of loud tools but a lack of overall substance on either side of the ball. This leads to fundamental questions around his ability to become either a league average hitter or fielder. Conversely, he possesses all the necessary skills to become both or better, leaving his range of outcomes rather wide. He could be a strong side platoon bat with fringy utility defense across the board or an above average regular. There's more risk than the usual college shortstop, putting him in recent company of players like Brady McConnell.
OFP: 45
Role: 40 - Below-Average Player: Utility or Platoon
Risk: High
