Oakland Athletics still looking for shortstop of the future
The Oakland Athletics are likely going to have to address the shortstop position this offseason. While that happens, they also need to find their shortstop of the future.
At this point, it is likely that the Oakland Athletics will need to find their shortstop of the future. Marcus Semien is set to become a free agent at the conclusion of the 2020 season, and is likely outside of the A’s budget.
In theory, Oakland could look to extend Semien. The problem is that he picked the 2019 campaign for a career year, posting a .285/.369/.522 batting line while hitting 43 doubles and 33 homers. His defensive concerns are a thing of the past, as he has consistently displayed above average range and has saved the A’s nine runs over the past three seasons. Semien may never be a Gold Glove caliber shortstop, but he is no longer the butcher he had once been.
As the A’s chance to extend Semien for a team friendly deal has likely passed, they will need to address the shortstop position in the offseason. However, whatever player that the A’s bring in may only be a stopgap, as they need to find their long term answer at the position. Fortunately, the A’s have several promising shortstops in the minors that could fit that description.
Let’s take a look through the candidates and see which of these players could become the Oakland Athletics shortstop of the future.
Sheldon Neuse
In theory, Sheldon Neuse was a part of the Oakland Athletics battle for second base. However, since he had options left, he was on the outside looking in.
That does not mean that he will not be a part of the A’s future. In fact, that time could come as early as this season, given his impressive .317/.389/.550 batting line with 31 doubles and 27 homers in AAA last season. Should Neuse replicate that success this season, he may not be in the minors for much longer.
Neuse is likely best suited to a utility role in the majors. He has seen most of his minor league action at third, but is blocked by the presence of Matt Chapman. Oakland has looked to expand his defensive versatility in recent years, as he has spent time at second and short as well.
That versatility, and experience at short, could be the answer for the A’s in 2021. While Neuse only has 67 games worth of experience at the position, he could end up as the default option in Oakland. Neuse has displayed respectable range at the position, and his athleticism could make him a useful option at short.
Even if Sheldon Neuse is likely to be a utility man at major league level, he could be an option for the Oakland Athletics at short as soon as next year.
Nick Allen
Nick Allen may already have a major league caliber glove. The question for the Oakland Athletics is whether or not he will hit enough to be a starter in the majors.
Already considered a brilliant defensive shortstop as a high school player, the A’s handed Allen a $2 million bonus, far beyond the slot value of a third round pick. His reputation bore out in his first two professional seasons, as he displayed brilliant defense and speed, but no power and a questionable hit tool.
Last season saw Allen take some steps in the right direction. He produced a respectable .292/.363/.434 batting line, hitting 22 doubles and stealing 13 bases. While that decrease in stolen base production is a bit of a concern, that is definitely mitigated by Allen’s improvement at the plate.
Ultimately, it will be his bat that determines Allen’s future. The glove may be major league ready now, His impressive range and strong arm make him a potential future Gold Glove winner at short. But defense can carry a player only so far – just take Rey Ordonez for example. Eventually, Allen will need to hit to earn a spot in the lineup.
The jury is still out as to whether or not that will happen. If nothing else, Nick Allen may be a defensive utility option for the Oakland Athletics moving forward.
Logan Davidson
The son of former major leaguer Mark Davidson, Logan Davidson followed in his father’s footsteps by heading to Clemson. There, he hammered pitching in the Atlantic Coast Conference, showing the potential to be a five tool prospect.
However, there were questions about his ability to hit heading into the draft. While he showed excellent pop with the metal bats in college, the same could not be said in the wooden bat leagues. Davidson did not exactly impress in his two stints in the Cape Cod League, with concerns about his hitting causing him to drop to the Oakland Athletics at the 29th overall pick of the 2019 MLB Draft.
Davidson flashed some of that upside in his first taste of professional ball, but also showed why those concerns were valid. He produced a somewhat mediocre .239/.345/.332 batting line, hitting just seven doubles and four homers. While the 31 walks in 238 plate appearances was impressive, the A’s were certainly hoping to see more with the bat.
Even if Davidson does come around offensively, his future at short is far from certain. At 6’3″, he is considered tall for the position, and may eventually come to see time at second and third. Davidson does have a solid glove at the position, and a strong enough arm; the question is whether or not he will outgrow short as his frame fills out.
The next year or two could determine Logan Davidson’s fate. If he can start to hit, the Oakland Athletics may have their future shortstop. But that is a big if at this point.
Robert Pauson
Robert Pauson is still a long way away from being a part of the Oakland Athletics major league roster, but he may be the long term answer at the position.
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Considered the second best international prospect in the 2019-20 signing period, the A’s handed the Dominican shortstop a $5.1 million signing bonus. He spent all of last year getting instruction and training at the A’s facility in Mesa, with the idea that he would be unleashed once the 2020 minor league season begins.
There is plenty of room for projection with Pauson. He is a lean, wiry shortstop with excellent speed and tremendous instincts at the position. His excellent glove, strong arm, and impressive footwork should allow him to remain at the position, and possibly be a top defensive shortstop.
Offensively, he displayed the ability to put the bat on the ball and hit line drives to all fields. The belief is that, as his frame fills out, he could add more power to his swing, possibly being the type of player that could reach double digit homers and steal 30 to 40 bases at the major league level. Despite being just 17 years old, he could move through the system quickly, especially if his bat catches up to his defense.
Next. The battle for second base. dark
The Oakland Athletics are looking for their future shortstop. They might have that in Robert Pauson.