James Russell (baseball)

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24+13 innings pitched. Russell was released by the Braves on March 29, 2015. [22]

Chicago Cubs (second stint)

On April 8, 2015, Russell signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs. [23] He had his contract selected to the major league roster on May 5. He went 0–2 with a 5.29 ERA for the Cubs before being designated for assignment on September 1, he cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Iowa Cubs on September 3. [24] He elected free agency following the season on October 6.

Philadelphia Phillies

On November 12, 2015, Russell signed a minor league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies. [25] On April 2, 2016, the Phillies selected Russell's contract after he made the team's Opening Day roster. [26] In 7 appearances for Philadelphia, he struggled to an 18.69 ERA with 4 strikeouts across 4+13 innings pitched. Russell was designated for assignment by the Phillies on April 20. [27] He cleared waivers and was sent outright to the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs on April 22. [28] Russell elected free agency following the season on October 3.

Texas AirHogs

On February 15, 2017, Russell signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians that included an invitation to spring training. [29] He was released prior to the start of the season on March 31. [30]

On April 25, 2017, Russell signed with the Texas AirHogs of the American Association of Professional Baseball. In 9 starts for the AirHogs, Russell compiled a 3-1 record and 2.79 ERA with 46 strikeouts across 58 innings pitched.

Leones de Yucatán

On July 7, 2017, Russell signed with the Leones de Yucatán of the Mexican League. In 5 starts for Yucatán, he recorded a 2.03 ERA with 27 strikeouts over 31 innings of work. Russell was released by the Leones on January 9, 2018. [31]

Detroit Tigers

On January 24, 2018, Russell signed a minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers. [32] In 2 appearances for the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens, he struggled to an 0-1 record and 15.00 ERA with 2 strikeouts over 3 innings of work. Russell was released by the Tigers organization on May 8. [33]

Sugar Land Skeeters

On May 29, 2018, Russell signed with the Sugar Land Skeeters of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. In 20 appearances (18 starts) for Sugar Land, he logged an 8-4 record and 2.36 ERA with 98 strikeouts across 106+23 innings pitched. Russell and the Skeeters won the Atlantic League Championship [34] and he was named the Skeeters Pitcher of the Year. [35] He became a free agent following the season.[ citation needed ]

Toros de Tijuana

On April 3, 2019, Russell signed with the Toros de Tijuana of the Mexican League. [36] In 19 games (18 starts) for Tijuana, he compiled an 8-4 record and 3.26 ERA with 66 strikeouts across 88+13 innings pitched. Russell did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the Mexican League season because of the COVID-19 pandemic. [37]

Algodoneros de Unión Laguna

On March 23, 2021, Russell was traded to the Algodoneros de Unión Laguna of the Mexican League. [38] In 7 starts for the Algodoneros, he posted a 2-2 record and 3.67 ERA with 23 strikeouts across 34+13 innings pitched. Russell was released on December 14. [39]

On March 24, 2022, Russell joined TPA Baseball Texas as an instructor. [40]

Pitching style

Unlike most pitchers who throw a fastball of some sort as their most common pitch, Russell's most common was a slider at 79–83 miles per hour (mph). He also featured four-seam and two-seam fastballs (89–90 mph), a cutter (86–88 mph), a curveball (72–75 mph), and a changeup (80–83 mph). Left-handers saw almost all four-seamers and sliders (and no change-ups), while right-handers saw a larger variety of pitches. [41]

Personal

Russell's father is former MLB pitcher Jeff Russell. [42]

Russell's brother-in-law is Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. Russell is married to Witt's older sister Nikki. [43]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 Muskat, Carrie (June 12, 2013). "Cubs' Russell grew up in big league parks". MLB.com. Retrieved March 17, 2019.
  2. 1 2 "Former Longhorn Russell makes Major League Baseball debut". University of Texas at Austin . April 6, 2010. Archived from the original on May 22, 2010. Retrieved February 6, 2025.
  3. "2007 MLB Draft Tracker - Round 14". MLB.com. Retrieved February 6, 2025.
  4. Turnbow, Alan (August 9, 2007). "Pitcher Russell signs with Cubs, won't return". Austin American-Statesman . p. C7. Retrieved February 6, 2025 via Newspapers.com.
  5. 1 2 3 "James Russell Minor, Fall, Independent, Mexican & Winter Leagues Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com . Retrieved February 6, 2025.
  6. Emrich, Robert (May 1, 2010). "Chiefs' Struck pitches abbreviated no-no". MLB.com. Archived from the original on November 6, 2012.
  7. "Hammerheads Struggles Continue". MinorLeagueBaseball. April 26, 2008. Archived from the original on July 20, 2012.
  8. "Smokies Make Multiple Roster Changes". Knoxville Smokies. April 29, 2008. Retrieved February 6, 2025 via OurSports Central.
  9. Lu, Janice (September 2, 2008). "Texas Exes headed for minor league posteason[sic]". CSTV . Archived from the original on September 16, 2012.
  10. "TN Smokies announce 2009 Opening Day Roster & Activities". volunteertv.com. April 6, 2009. Archived from the original on March 20, 2012.
  11. "Smokies score three in the seventh to win Sunday" (Press release). Knoxville Smokies. April 26, 2009. Retrieved February 6, 2025 via OurSportsCentral.
  12. "Braves & Tennessee Smokies Split Marathon". volunteertv.com. May 8, 2009. Archived from the original on March 20, 2012.
  13. Muskat, Carrie (August 25, 2009). "Cashner, Vitters to play in Fall League". MLB.com. Archived from the original on November 6, 2012.
  14. Muskat, Carrie (March 29, 2010). "Lilly being readied for return to staff". MLB.com. Archived from the original on November 13, 2012.
  15. Muskat, Carrie (March 28, 2010). "Colvin makes Cubs' Opening Day roster". MLB.com. Archived from the original on August 21, 2014.
  16. Muskat, Carrie (April 5, 2010). "Bullpen gets mixed results in opener". MLB.com. Archived from the original on April 9, 2010.
  17. "Cubs recall right-hander Atkins". The Columbian. Associated Press. October 18, 2024. Retrieved February 6, 2025.
  18. "Cubs put Zambrano on restricted list, Grabow out". San Diego Union-Tribune. Associated Press. June 29, 2010. Retrieved February 6, 2025.
  19. 1 2 "James Russell Stats". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved February 6, 2025.
  20. Sullivan, Paul (September 27, 2010). "Top Cubs mistakes in 2010". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved February 6, 2025.
  21. "Braves get INF-OF Bonifacio, LHP Russell from Cubs". ESPN.com. Associated Press. July 31, 2014. Retrieved August 2, 2014.
  22. Cunningham, Michael (March 29, 2015). "Braves release lefty James Russell". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved February 6, 2025.
  23. Eddy, Matt (April 13, 2015). "Minor League Transactions: April 3–9". Baseball America. Retrieved April 11, 2016.
  24. Muskat, Carrie (September 1, 2015). "Baez, callups join Cubs along with Jackson". MLB.com. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved April 11, 2016.
  25. Kaplan, Jake (November 13, 2015). "Phillies sign reliever James Russell to minor-league deal". Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved April 11, 2016.
  26. "Roster Notes: Brewers, Weeks, Abad, Phillies, Ramos, Pena". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
  27. "Phillies Designate James Russell, Select Contract Of Andrew Bailey". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
  28. "Minor MLB Transactions: 4/22/16". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
  29. "Indians invite LHP James Russell to Major League camp". MLB.com. February 15, 2017. Archived from the original on February 15, 2017. Retrieved February 6, 2025.
  30. "Minor MLB Transactions: 3/31/17". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
  31. "James Russell, nuevo abridor melenudo". Leones (in Spanish). July 4, 2017. Retrieved February 6, 2025.
  32. "James Russell: Signs minor-league contract with Detroit". CBS Sports. RotoWire. January 10, 2018. Retrieved February 6, 2025.
  33. "Minor MLB Transactions: 5/14/18". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
  34. "Sugar Land Skeeters win Atlantic League championship". KPRC. October 1, 2018. Retrieved February 6, 2025.
  35. "James Russell Named 2018 Skeeters Pitcher of the Year". Sugar Land Skeeters. October 25, 2018. Archived from the original on November 30, 2020.
  36. "James Russell Player Card". baseballprospectus.com. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
  37. Todd, Jeff (July 1, 2020). "Mexican League Cancels 2020 Season". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved February 6, 2025.
  38. "James Russell aterriza en Unión Laguna". El Sol de la Laguna (in Spanish). March 19, 2021. Retrieved February 6, 2025.
  39. "Jhoan Ureña se incorpora a las filas del UL". unionlaguna.
  40. @TPABaseballTX (March 24, 2022). "Meet our newest instructor, James Russell" (Tweet). Retrieved February 6, 2025 via Twitter.
  41. "Player Card: James Russell". Brooks Baseball. Retrieved June 14, 2012.
  42. Sullivan, Paul (March 30, 2010). "Russell unlikely member of Cubs' roster". Chicago Tribune . Retrieved February 6, 2025.
  43. Thompson, Jaylen (July 14, 2024). "Years in the making: How Royals' Bobby Witt Jr. planned special Home Run Derby experience". The Kansas City Star . Archived from the original on July 14, 2024. Retrieved September 3, 2024.
James Russell
James Russell pitching in Arlington in September 2014.jpg
Russell with the Atlanta Braves
Relief pitcher
Born: (1986-01-08) January 8, 1986 (age 39)
Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
Batted: Left
Threw: Left
MLB debut
April 15, 2010, for the Chicago Cubs
Last MLB appearance
April 19, 2016, for the Philadelphia Phillies