A’s Farm Report: A’s Top Draft Picks Get Started at Vermont

Vermont started play a couple of weeks ago, but many of this year’s top draft picks for the A’s, like Logan Davidson and Tyler Baum, just got into action for the Lake Monsters this past week. Some top picks from last year’s draft, like Hogan Harris and Lawrence Butler, are making their debuts with Vermont this season as well. So, let’s take a look at how some of the organization’s newest prospects have been doing in the very early going at Vermont this year.

I also want to remind you to check out our most recent A’s Farm podcast where Athletics Nation editor Alex Hall and myself offer updates on a number of top A’s prospects like Jesus Luzardo, A.J. Puk, James Kaprielian, Franklin Barreto, Jorge Mateo, Sheldon Neuse, Lazaro Armenteros, Austin Beck, Nick Allen and more. You can hear it right here – A’s Cast. And, of course, you can always find daily updates on the A’s top prospects and all the daily action in the A’s minor league system on Athletics Farm.

1^st Round (2019) – SS Logan Davidson

The A’s top pick slashed .291/.412/.574 with 15 home runs, 18 doubles and 17 stolen bases in 61 games for Clemson this season, and his power numbers increased over each of his three college seasons. The 21-year-old has gotten off to a slow start at Vermont though, going 0 for 10 with 5 strikeouts in his first 3 games for the Lake Monsters.

2^nd Round (2019) – RHP Tyler Baum

The University of North Carolina junior was the 77^th-ranked prospect by Baseball America and the 100^th-ranked prospect by MLB Pipeline. Baum notched 92 strikeouts in 86.2 innings while posting an ERA of 3.95 for North Carolina in 2019. The 6-foot-2 Florida native has a plus fastball, a good curveball and a serviceable changeup. And the 21-year-old struck out a pair while pitching 2 perfect innings in his pro debut for Vermont on Wednesday.

4^th Round (2019) – C Kyle McCann

The big left-handed hitting backstop demonstrated both his power and his plate discipline by leading his Georgia Tech team with 26 home runs and 60 walks this season. And he’s gotten off to a good start since joining the A’s system. McCann slashed .400/.520/1.000 with 5 walks and 6 extra-base hits in just 5 games in the Arizona League. And the 21-year-old is currently boasting an on-base percentage of .400 with 4 walks, a home run and a double over his first 6 games with Vermont.

6^th Round (2019) – RHP Seth Shuman

Shuman led his Georgia Southern squad this season with six wins and 114 strikeouts while issuing just 27 walks in 91.2 innings. Despite his big strikeout numbers, the 21-year-old is primarily known as a groundball pitcher who has always shown good command throughout his college career. And Shuman pitched 2 perfect innings in his pro debut for the Lake Monsters on Saturday.

9^th Round (2019) – RHP Colin Peluse

In college, the 21-year-old showed good command, a fastball that sits around 92-94 mph, an above-average changeup and a developing breaking ball. But after turning in solid freshman and sophomore seasons, his numbers took a dip in his junior year, when he posted a 5.74 ERA in 15 starts for Wake Forest. Peluse allowed 1 run on 3 hits in 2 innings of work in his pro debut for Vermont on Friday.

3^rd Round (2018) – LHP Hogan Harris

Harris had a history of nagging injuries in college, and it continued after he was drafted by the A’s in June of 2018. Injuries kept the big lefty sidelined until this month, but he’s looked solid in his 3 appearances for Vermont. The 22-year-old has allowed 4 earned runs on 6 hits while walking just 3 and striking out 14 in 12 innings of work for the Lake Monsters.

6^th Round (2018) – 1B-OF Lawrence Butler

Butler has gotten off to a good start with the Lake Monsters. The 18-year-old has drawn 10 walks in his first 13 games while boasting an on-base percentage of .377 for Vermont. After playing exclusively in the outfield in the Arizona League last season, Butler has made all but one of his starts at first base for the Lake Monsters this year.

10^th Round (2018) – RHP Clark Cota

The A’s 10^th-round pick in 2018 struggled with control issues in college and then walked 17 over 17.2 innings for Vermont last season. So far this year, the 22-year-old has issued 5 walks and struck out 13 in 7.2 frames for the Lake Monsters.

Visit Athletics Farm for updates on the A’s minor league teams and all the top prospects down on the farm.