Joseph
Russo

Uncommitted. Five-foot-11, 200-pounds. Large frame with strength throughout, particularly in the lower half which he incorporates very well into his delivery. Uses a high leg kick in his dip-and-drive delivery with compact arm swing before releasing through a high 3/4 slot. Hides the ball well behind back leg adding to the deception. Arm is clean and loose. Fastball shows some run into righties on a downhill plane. Commanded the pitch very well for strikes using both sides of the plate and elevating to change eye levels. Curveball showed to be a tick loose at times but when thrown with conviction flashed 11/5 shape and downer action. Changeup may be his best pitch as it shows heavy arm side run with late sinking action to the back foot of righties. Used as an out to pitch a few times and induced swing-and-miss results repeatedly with the pitch.

Los Angeles Open - Five-foot-11, 185-pounds, medium/large frame that is thick and strong in the lower half with squared shoulders and strength down into the wrists. Russo features a loose arm that has some quickness to it from a 3/4 slot with regular effort to it. He tends to land closed with an athletic finish. Fastball shows run back to the arm side with late action. While the command was a tick erratic, he was around the zone with the pitch consistently. Russo's curveball shows early and has gradual action to it with 11/5 shape. He throws it from near fastball arm speed but tends to drop his arm with the pitch. Russo also showed feel for a changeup that shows plenty of arm side run and downer action.