Perfect Choice: A’s take OF in 1st Round

The Oakland A’s have a ton of pitching depth, but have been on the search for some bats to replenish their farm system. On Monday, the A’s made their choice in selecting Michael Choice, an OF from the University of Texas Arlington, in the first round of the 2010 MLB Draft. Choice, who hit .383 with 16 homers and 76 walks, has incredible power potential and has above average speed. While some think that his hitting mechanics could use some work, there’s no doubting that the A’s made the right choice in selecting a power guy like Choice.

The A’s sit in third place, and trail the first place Rangers by one game in the AL West. The young pitching staff has proved to be effective this season, and that’s because of the development of guys like Brett Anderson, Trevor Cahill and Gio Gonzalez. The A’s have the pitching, but they’ve been lacking the offensive firepower to take them to the next level. Prospects Chris Carter and Michael Taylor are big power guys, but have yet to make it to the big leagues. By adding another potential power threat to their farm system, Oakland’s future looks brighter.

For the full run-down on Michael Choice, you can click here. Also, below is a quote about Choice from MLB.com.

"In a year that lacks a ton of big-name college hitters, players from smaller programs like Choice have a chance to shine, and he is taking advantage. Though he’ll need work on his swing mechanics, he has big-time raw power to all fields. He runs well and plays a strong outfield to boot. He may not be the elite hitter clubs seek, but since there aren’t many of those this year, teams may look hard at Choice in the early going. —MLB Scouting Report."