A’s: High school shortstop taken with 11th overall pick.

The A’s top pick in Monday’s draft, shortstop Addison Russell, said on a conference call that one of his best attributes is his ability to slow the game when he’s in a tough position.

“I perform better when I’m nervous,” said Russell, who was taken with the 11th pick in the draft out of Pace High School in Pensacola, Fla. He’s the first high school player chosen by the A’s in the first round since pitcher Jeremy Bonderman in 2001.

Russell gained extra muscle as a junior in an effort to hit more homers, realized that the weight gain affected his speed, and he has dropped 30plus pounds since then. He ran, he dieted, he did Pilates, yoga and Zumba, he said.

“He looks and plays like a shortstop now,” said A’s scouting director Eric Kubota, who discounted suggestions from draft experts that Russell might be moved to third.

Russell is being advised by agent Scott Boras, and Russell has a scholarship offer at Auburn after hitting .358 with eight homers and 33 RBIs in 32 games.

“We feel comfortable about getting him signed,” Kubota said.

With the 34th pick, the A’s took infielder Daniel Robertson from Upland High (San Bernardino County). Robertson, who has a scholarship at UCLA, hit .560 with six homers and 36 RBIs.

The A’s used the 47th pick to take first baseman Matt Olson, a high schooler from Parkview, Ga. Olson, who has a scholarship at Vanderbilt, hit .407 with 11 homers and 51 RBIs in 37 games.