THURSDAY: Russell will receive a $2.625MM bonus according to Baseball America's Jim Callis (on Twitter), the full slot value for the 11th overall pick.
MONDAY: First round selection Addison Russell told Jason Blakeney of the Pensacola News Journal that he has decided to sign with the Athletics. Russell, the 11th overall selection in last week's draft, will fly to California this week, and advisor Scott Boras will finalize his contract.
"It's a once in a lifetime opportunity," Russell said. "Being part of a big league club and being an affiliate of the Oakland A's is a dream come true."
Russell didn't reveal the specifics of his deal with the A's, saying only that they "offered [him] a good chunk of change.” MLB recommends a bonus of $2.625MM for the 11th overall selection, according to Baseball America.
Russell, a high school shortstop, became the first prep player selected by Oakland in the first round since 2001. While some teams wanted to move him to third base, the A's told him he can continue playing shortstop for the time being.
Mike Axisa contributed to this post.
The A’s have gone young to rebuild a team for the new San Jose stadium.
Ten years after Beane chose to keep the epic fail Eric Chavez over Miggy Tejada the A’s are STILL searching for a ML caliber shortstop. Both Bobby Crosby and Cliff Pennington couldn’t cut it. This draft Beane too TWO shortstops with his top two picks. Strength in #’s I guess.
Or maybe, Beane took who he felt was the Best Player Available…since drafting for a need at the MLB level is a horrible approach…
I didn’t like the Russell pick with guys like Cecchini and Wacha still on the board, but the A’s have always liked his stuff and thought he was a better gamble I guess.
unless the A’s wanted to gamble their draft budget on Giolito, there really wasn’t a clear BPA IMO**
**Although I really wanted the A’s to take Shaffer at #11.
I really wanted Shaffer too, although Pierce Johnson and Stratton and Wacha have some really good stuff. The main reason Johnson dropped was because of a forearm strain during the season.
I also liked Cecchini better since he has a better chance of sticking at shortstop and has better contact, although not as much pop
Put on your jersey kid, you’re starting at shortstop tonight, and third base, and second base and catcher… fml
Addison is a great pick. He’s a local kid, so I’ve watched him play many a time. He’s awesome with the glove and with maturation, his bat will become more better with the fundamentals. He has a nice power stroke, just needs maturation to lay off the off speed stuff, but that’s what getting seasoning in the minors is for. A’s made a great pick 🙂
Can’t wait to see him on the major roster one day.
“being an affiliate of the Oakland A’s is a dream come true.”… Really?