AJ
Russell

6-foot-5, 175-pound with a wide build and wiry frame. Significant room for projection. Offensively, sets up in a tall, narrow stance with some bend in lower half. Uses a low leg lift to create forward move into stride. Subtle shift in his barrel angle prior to launching swing. Hands stay quiet into landing. Hands stay tight to body despite long levers. Swing path shows some lift as he gets into high finish after contact. Stays tall throughout. Defensively, wide frame covers a lot of ground over at 3B. Uses controlled, deliberate footwork when moving to the ball. Works down to receive with a hip hinge at waist, keeping upper half over the ball and staying in a wide, athletic base. Full arm path with bent action. Low ¾ release point. On the mound, worked exclusively out of the stretch. Works from the 3rd base side of the rubber and keeps clean direction towards target. High leg lift into balance with some inward turn towards back hip. Has some drop and drive action with shoulder tilt at hand break. Full, extended arm path into ¾ release. Clean, whippy finish out front. Showed feel for keeping 3 pitches around the zone. FB peaked at 81 with heavy life and a low spin rate (1800-1930 rpm). Could see a big jump in pure stuff in 2021.