A's sign first-round Draft pick SS Addison Russell
A’s also agree to terms with sixth-round selection RHP Seth Streich
OAKLAND, Calif. – The Oakland A’s signed shortstop Addison Russell from Pace High School, their first round selection in the 2012 First-Year Player Draft. The A’s also agreed to terms with their sixth round pick, right-handed pitcher Seth Streich from Ohio University. The A’s have now signed or agreed to terms with 23 of their 43 picks, including 10 of the first 18.
Russell batted .358 with eight home runs and 33 RBI in 32 games for Pace HS this year. He added 30 walks for a .532 on-base percentage and scored 40 runs. Russell hit .460 in his four-year high school career with 37 home runs. The 11th overall selection, Russell is the first high school pick by the A’s in the first round since 2001 when they drafted Jeremy Bonderman with the 26th selection. Since 1991, the only other high school players the A’s selected in the first round were Eric Chavez (1996) and Ben Grieve (1994). Russell is the third position player the A’s have chosen in the first round in the last four years along with Michael Choice (2010) and Grant Green (2009). The A’s drafted right-handed pitcher Sonny Gray in the first round last year.
The deadline for signing drafted players is July 13.