Major League Baseball

A's take Florida SS Richie Martin with 20th pick in MLB Draft

Published Jun. 8, 2015 9:56 p.m. ET

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With the 20th pick in the MLB Draft on Monday, the Oakland Athletics added to their organizational infield depth by selecting University of Florida shortstop Richie Martin. 

Ranked #31 on Baseball America's Top 500 Draft Prospects list, Martin is a junior at Florida and is leading his team in walks, runs scored, walks, stolen bases and HBP's this season.

As Joe Stiglich of CSN Bay Area mentioned in his report, Martin's selection marks the fourth time in the last seven Drafts that Oakland has drafted a shortstop in the first round. What's more, he's the latest in their recent string of selecting shortstops early: 

Martin boosts the club's depth at the position, a notable feat considering that Oakland general manager Billy Beane has traded away the A's previous three first-round shortstops (Addison Russell, Grant Green and Daniel Robertson). 

As John Hickey of Inside the A's points out, Martin's baseball lineage dates back to the Negro Leagues, where his maternal grandfather played with the Kansas City Monarchs in the 1950s. 

Here's a Draft preview video of Martin showcasing his skills: 

And finally, here's an MLB Network Radio scouting report for Martin: 

(h/t Inside the A's, CSN Bay Area)

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