A's select SS Richie Martin in first round of First-Year Player Draft
OAKLAND, Calif. - The Oakland A's selected shortstop Richie Martin from the University of Florida with the 20th selection in the first round of the 2015 First-Year Player Draft, the club announced today.
Martin is batting .292 with five home runs and 33 RBI in 65 games for Florida. He has 33 walks and has been hit by a pitch 16 times for a .404 on-base percentage. The right-handed hitting junior is leading the team in runs scored (59), walks, stolen bases (20) and hit by pitches. The Gators will begin play in the College World Series this Saturday against Miami.
The A's have now selected a college player with their first pick in the draft 16 times in the last 19 years, including last year when they selected third baseman Matt Chapman out of Cal State Fullerton. Oakland has one more pick tonight, their second round pick (63rd selection overall). The draft resumes tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. with rounds three through 10 and concludes Wednesday at 9:00 am with rounds 11 through 40.