GoUSFBulls.com Merrell Drafted by the Oakland Athletics in MLB Draft

[Brad]

USF ATHLETICS GoUSFBulls.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Web Link: http://bit.ly/2sviMWs

 

Merrell Drafted by the Oakland Athletics in MLB Draft
Kevin Merrell becomes the third-highest player drafted in program history

TAMPA, JUNE, 12, 2017 – University of South Florida junior shortstop Kevin Merrell (Odessa, Fla.) was selected by the Oakland Athletics in the Competitive Balance round A with the 33rd pick of the 2017 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft on Monday.

 

Merrell is the only player in program history to lead the Bulls in hitting three-straight seasons. His .384 average in 2017 set an American Athletic Conference record, ranked top-20 nationally and was the 10^th-best mark in single-season program history.

He becomes the third-highest player drafted in program history and the third shortstop drafted in the first three rounds, joining Jason Dellaero (1st round, 16th pick in 1997) and Brett King (2nd round, 72nd pick in 1993). He is the first Bull to be drafted in the top five rounds since 2006, joining Dellaero and Scott Hemond (1st round, 15th pick in 1986) in the opening round. He becomes the first Bull to be selected in the first three rounds since 1997.

Merrell was named to the All-American Athletic Conference First Team for the second time in 2017 and was honored ono the Baseball America All-American Second Team on June 8. He led the Bulls with 48 runs scored, hit 11 doubles, four triples and a career-high seven homers. The speedster was 19-for-23 on stolen base attempts.

The three-year starter ranks third in program history with a .353 career batting average and eighth with 56 career steals.

[JoeB]

Hopefully Joe Cavallero and Duke Stunkel will come back for their Sr seasons, but it will depend on how late they get drafted.

[CousinRicky]

Good for him. He's been stellar.  Read a blurb somewhere that he might be the fastest guy taken.

[JoeB]

Signed for $1.8 million.  Not too shabby.  Don't think was posted anywhere.