For the second year in a row, the A’s selected a collegiate infielder with their first pick in the amateur draft. Last year it was third baseman Matt Chapman, and this year it was shortstop Richie Martin.
Martin is a 20-year-old junior out of Florida who came in second in the Cade Cod League in hitting last summer with a .364 average. He also possesses good speed and seems to have the defensive ability to stick at shortstop in the long-term.
The A’s followed up their first pick by selecting their second college shortstop of the day, Mikey White out of Alabama. White is a 21-year-old junior who’s always been solid at the plate and has shown a consistent ability to get on base, but many think he may ultimately end up being a better fit at second base.
The A’s aren’t expecting to have any trouble signing either of their top two picks this year. The draft resumes on Tuesday with rounds 3 through 10. We’ll have more complete coverage of the A’s top ten picks tomorrow. But in the meantime, here’s the basic rundown on the A’s first two picks of the 2015 amateur draft…
1st Round
Richie Martin
Shortstop
Florida
Age: 20 / 6’0” – 185 lbs.
Bats: Right / Throws: Right
2015 College Stats: 5 HR / 33 BB / 34 K / .292 AVG / .404 OBP / .424 SLG
2nd Round
Mikey White
Shortstop
Alabama
Age: 21 / 6’1” – 195 lbs.
Bats: Right / Throws: Right
2015 College Stats: 4 HR / 31 BB / 47 K / .339 AVG / .444 OBP / .537 SLG
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