The A’s announced the signing of first-round pick Addison Russell of Pace High in Florida. Russell took grounders and batting practice with the team before Friday’s game against San Diego.

Russell, a shortstop, signed with the A’s instead of accepting a scholarship to Auburn. He hit .358 with eight home runs and 33 RBI for Pace this season, and is the first high schooler taken in the first round by the A’s since Jeremy Bonderman in 2001.

Baseball America reported that Russell signed for $2.65 million.

“It’s an honor to be picked that high,” Russell said. “That’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I had to take advantage of it.”

Russell arrived at the Oakland Coliseum in a suit, but quickly donned A’s warm-ups and went to the outfield to throw with current A’s shortstop Cliff Pennington.

“I was always kind of wondering what it would feel like to put on a major league uniform,” Russell said. “It feels great.”