Logan Davidson's record-setting HR derby shows nation why he's Clemson's next top prospect

Coming into the 2018 season, most people looked at Clemson baseball’s roster and had their eyes fixated on what was dubbed a “three-headed monster.”

A trio of offensive beasts who opposing teams and pitching staffs had to surgically work around to avoid their wrath. To Clemson fans, they were known as Chris Williams, Seth Beer, and Logan Davidson.

Everyone in upstate South Carolina was familiar with what these players were capable of doing one time through the order. Most of the time, it was a “pick your poison” type of approach when it came to pitching against these players.

In 2018 alone, the three each did their damage by combining to hit 55 home runs and 172 RBIs.

There was Williams, the senior from Garden Grove, California, who possessed plenty of power and hit 18 home runs and a staggering, team-leading 72 RBIs in his final season.

Of course, there was Beer, the latest first-round draft pick to come out of Clemson’s program being selected 28th overall by the Houston Astros. Beer is arguably one of the greatest hitters in school history, and his 22 home runs were the result he was looking for in his final season.

Then there’s Davidson, who is now the lone head of the monster on the roster. In terms of numbers, Davidson ranked third of the trio in home runs (15) and RBIs (46) in the 2018 season.

But regarding value, Davidson has shown and is continuing to show why he’s looked at as the next great prospect to come out of Clemson for the 2019 MLB Draft. The 2018 College Baseball Home Run Derby was the latest example.

After falling early in the first round in 2017, Davidson returned to Omaha to compete again. The Clemson shortstop put on a show.

Davidson, a patented switch-hitter, made headlines all over the country late in the season when he hit a home run on each side of the plate in one game. He accomplished this feat not once, but twice this season; the second coming in one inning.

So it was no surprise in the opening round of the 2018 Home Run Derby when Davidson got tired of hitting right-handed and switched to the left side of the plate. He then proceeded to get into a groove and knock six consecutive home runs into the Ameritrade Park stands.

The moment raised some eyebrows and Davidson continued to impress all the way to the championship round. He faced off against Nic Ready, a first baseman from Air Force, who tied for seventh in home runs in 2018 with 20.

The two went at it and Davidson, down 21-20, had one swing left with the money ball to win the Derby. A pop fly over third base gave Ready the trophy.

In a losing effort, Davidson blasted 58 home runs setting a new record. Unfortunately for Davidson, the home runs reset before the final round so his work done prior to then did not matter. Ready hit three home runs less than Davidson in total.

Even though a slow-pitch Home Run Derby isn’t the best example of a player’s overall skill, what Davidson showed and accomplished during the 2018 season has springboarded him to the top of many MLB Draft boards.

Bleacher Report’s early 2019 Mock Draft has Davidson going No. 1 overall to the Baltimore Orioles. Sporting News has also described Davidson as one of the players who could headline the 2019 Draft.

There’s nothing to not like about the rising junior. Even though Davidson has not hit above the .300 average during his career so far, he’s been steadily progressing. His power on both sides of the plate is more than enough to make opposing teams uncomfortable when he comes up to the plate.

All that offensive ability mixed with a quality, reliable glove at shortstop has set Davidson up well for the future. Out of high school, he was drafted in the 30th round by the Philadelphia Phillies and now certainly can go in the first round after the 2019 season.

Davidson is currently playing in the Cape Cod summer league for the second straight season for the Falmouth Commodores. In 14 games, he’s hitting .226 with five RBIs and one home run.

A solid performance in summer ball combined with the strong showing from the Home Run Derby could set Davidson up with a lot of momentum for a monster year.