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MLB Draft 2018: Oklahoma's Kyler Murray drafted No. 9 overall by the Oakland Athletics

Murray bats

Sophomore outfielder Kyler Murray swings the bat April 13.

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Oklahoma sophomore outfielder Kyler Murray was selected by the Oakland Athletics with the ninth pick (first round) in the 2018 MLB First-Year Player Draft.

Murray, an Allen, Texas native, became the first high school player to be named an Under Armour All-American in baseball and in football. He opted out of the 2015 MLB First-Year Player Draft to go play football at Texas A&M. 

The two-sport star did not play baseball during his short stint in College Station, and transferred to Oklahoma in the winter after the 2015 college football season.  He was unable to play baseball in the spring of the 2016 season. 

During the 2017 season, Murray struggled. He had a .122 batting average while making 16 starts in 27 appearances. Murray spent time last summer in the prestigious Cape Cod League, but struggled again, hitting .170 with only one home run. 

Things changed in 2018. The rust came off, and Murray burst onto the scene. He was seen as a first round draft prospect coming out of high school, and rose to that level again. To match his elite speed, Murray has hit .296 this season, showing power with 10 home runs, 13 doubles, three triples and 47 RBI. 

Although drafted by the Oakland Athletics, the decision to sign a contract with Oakland has yet to be determined, with the prospect of Kyler Murray as the starting quarterback on the football team this fall. 

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