1.10 Oakland Athletics - Michael Choice, OF, UT Arlington

The A's have selected Michael Choice. Here's his profile:

Michael Choice   Position: OF   School: UT-Arlington   State: TX   Year: Jr.   Height: 6’1’’   Weight: 215

Bats: R   Throws: R   Birth Date: 11/10/89   Seiler Rating: 1B2   Last Drafted: Never

Michael Choice is a solidly-built college outfielder from the University of Texas at Arlington. Choice came to UTA from Timberview High School in Mansfield, Texas, just south of Arlington. He wasn’t even really recruited, though he was more than walk-on at UTA. He started immediately once arriving on campus, and he hasn’t given up his center fielder’s job since, starting every single game since his freshman year. He hit immediately, too, though it wasn’t until a successful stint with Team USA last summer that he really began to be noticed on the national stage. A monster year as a junior has only elevated his status as a potential big-time bat, and the tools, seen as fringy before the spring, started to receive more favorable ratings as the season went on. His best tools involve his bat, as he’s an above-average hitter with plus-plus raw power, and his speed rates as above-average, as well, giving him big offensive potential. He’s a little more raw as a fielder, and the majority of scouts think he’ll shift over to a corner outfield spot as a pro, as his range is more average than true center field range, and his arm is solid-average. He has the potential to be an all-star player due to his bat, and while he’s not a huge ceiling player, he’s a solid first round option, and he could go in the upper half of the first round and sign for slot money.