The A's received some good news over the weekend, as Addison Russell - the team's first-round pick in this month's draft - decided to sign with the A's, according to a report in the Pensacola News Journal.
Russell, the No. 11 overall pick in the draft, is a shortstop from Pace High School in Florida. He is the first high school player drafted in the first round by the A's since 2001. Many thought that he would honor his commitment to Auburn University, but apparently the lure of the major leagues was too much to pass up.
"It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," Russell told the newspaper. "Being part of a big league club and being an affiliate of the Oakland A's is a dream come true. Their scouts have been watching me since I was a junior and said they fell in love with me."
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Bay Area and California sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
Russell did not disclose the amount of the bonus that the A's offered him to sign, but he did say that it was at least the 2.625 million that a player in his draft slot was slotted to receive.
"They offered me a good chunk of change," Russell said. "And my parents are all down for it. They're down with the California weather, so we're ready to go."