MEET ROMAN MARTIN: UCLA, the MLB Draft & His A’s Future

He turned down professional baseball at 18 to honor his commitment to UCLA. He later moved away from shortstop to help his team—and the player who replaced him eventually became the No. 1 overall pick in the MLB Draft. Now Roman Martin, the A’s’ 2026 fourth-round selection, is beginning his professional career with the playoff-bound Stockton Ports. Martin joins Booney and Stockton Ports broadcaster Tim Fitzgerald for an honest conversation about his development at UCLA, his transition from shortstop to third base, the mental side of professional baseball, and the offensive power he believes has yet to appear in the box score. Tim also takes us inside Stockton’s dramatic playoff run, previews the powerhouse San Jose Giants, and evaluates several of the A’s’ most fascinating young players, including Drew Burress, Alex Sosa, Corey Braun, Josiah Romeo, and Michael Brooks. Finally, Tim delivers a fiery edition of Tim’s Take on MLB umpires, the ABS challenge system, and whether baseball really needs the so-called human element behind the plate. Subscribe to The House Always Wins Media Network for independent A’s coverage, prospect interviews, game breakdowns, and year-round analysis.