Thomas
Russo

Physical: 5-foot-8, 200 pounds; Proportional, sturdy build. 7.86 runner in the 60.

Offensively: RHH. Even setup, with feet wide spread; upright bat position. Lifts hands with a slight leg-kick for timing. Stays behind the ball while showing an aggressive lower half. Showed a slight lift to the ball with a two handed finish.  More fly balls than line drives and ground balls with a peak exit velocity of 98 MPH via Trackman. Good rotational speed. Moves very well.

Defensively: Starts with a low to the ground setup; uses prep hop while showing active feet. Hands are out in front with a clean transfer. Long arm swing from a high 3/4 arm slot. INF - 85 MPH. 

Pitching: Uses a center rubber setup while using a side step. Mid chest leg drive with shoulders outside the hips. Has a long stride landing inline with the plate. Long arm swing while showing no restrictions; high 3/4 slot. Square to the plate with finish. FB: Peak velo of 84 MPH, while sitting 82-84 MPH; life through the zone. CB: 67-70 MPH; slurve  like action. SL: 71-73 MPH; short action. CH: 77-79 MPH; fading action.

Physical: Strong, well put together, and durable 5-foot-8, 190-pound frame with feel for the lower half. 8.07 runner in the 60-yard dash. 

Offensively: RHH. The righty started from a balanced, even setup with the hands showing rhythm at the shoulder; utilized a leg lift stride with a hand pump to a low shoulder position and back up for launch, initiated through a flat path into the hitting zone while hitting into a stiff front side at impact. Recorded a 33% line drive rate with occasional lift after impact, giving way to a 92 mph bat-exit velocity and 42% hard hit rate (batted balls over 90 mph). Impressive batting practice session also proving he can hit for power with a big time ceiling, (36.8 G’s of rotational acceleration according to Blast Motion) which compared admirably to his peers at the event. 

Defensively: The third baseman played low to the ground with glove hand range and easy lateral movements during defensive evals. A soft glove hand worked effortlessly out in front, scooping and funneling into the chest, accurate 82 mph arm strength with continued momentum towards the target at first base. 

Offensively- the right handed hitter stands in the box in a tall stance. Short simple load actions. Works with a slight lift at the point of contact. Displayed hard consistent contact in the gaps. Defensively- the infielder worked out at third. Moves well laterally and stays under control when approaching the baseball. Pitching- the right handed pitcher displayed a repeatable delivery. Takes his time to gather himself into a balanced backside before working downhill. Low effort action. Throws from a high 3/4 arm slot. FB peaked at 78 MPH, CB is early tight break and ranged from 55-57 MPH and CH 65-68 MPH. 

Russo has a solid base and build at 5-foot-4, 145-pounds; strong lower half.  He ran a 5.12 home to 1B. Offensively – Russo’s feet start off even and slightly wider than shoulder length apart.  He starts upright and crouches down with his load; hands work back with a slight front foot step forward and finishes with a powerful rotation of the hips.  He has a smooth follow through, with a one handed finish. Russo’s exit velocity is 76 MPH with some bat speed that plays up. Defensively – Shuffles in to position when moving laterally; stays low to the ground and square to the ball.  He has a smooth transfer and finishes with an accurate throw; arm strength is 69 MPH across the diamond. Pitching – Russo starts on the glove side of the mound with a simple side step. He slowly lifts his leg, with his foot relaxed and the toe down. His has a strong front side and glove tuck.  Russo stays on top of the ball and his foot lands slightly closed. He delivers all of his pitches from the same high three quarter slot.  He tops out at 73 MPH while sitting at 71-73 MPH. His curveball is between 55-58 MPH and his changeup dips down and away at 59-64 MPH. Solid overall foundation.