Addison Russell
Addison Russell (born January 23, 1994) is an American former professional baseball shortstop who played in Major League Baseball (MLB).[1] Drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the first round of the 2012 MLB Draft, Russell was traded to the Chicago Cubs in 2014 and made his MLB debut with the team in April 2015.[1] Over five seasons with the Cubs through 2019, he appeared in 647 games, batting .242 with 60 home runs and 253 RBIs.[2] A key contributor to the Cubs' 2016 World Series victory—the franchise's first since 1908—Russell hit a grand slam in Game 6 against the Cleveland Indians, driving in a record-tying six runs in that contest and helping force a decisive Game 7.[3][4] Selected as an All-Star that year, his career was later marred by a 40-game suspension in 2018 for violating MLB's joint domestic violence and sexual assault policy, stemming from abuse allegations detailed by his ex-wife Melisa Reidy-Russell, which MLB investigated and deemed credible enough to enforce under the policy; Russell accepted the suspension and issued a public apology acknowledging responsibility for his actions.[5][6] The Cubs non-tendered him following the 2019 season, after which he played in independent leagues and briefly in Japan before fading from major professional play.[7]
Early life and amateur career
Early life and family background
Addison Russell was born Geoffreye O'Neal Addison Robert Watts Jr. III on January 23, 1994, in Pensacola, Florida.[8][2] He later adopted the name Addison Wayne Russell following his mother's remarriage.[9] Russell grew up in Pace, Florida, as the eldest of four children raised primarily by his mother, Milany Ocampo-Russell, who is Filipina, and his stepfather, Wayne Russell.[10][11] His biological father is African American, while his stepfather is Caucasian.[11][9] From a young age, Russell assisted in raising his younger siblings, fostering a sense of responsibility that influenced his early outlook on family and future parenthood.[12]High school career
Russell attended Pace High School in Pace, Florida, playing varsity baseball as a shortstop from his freshman through senior years (2009–2012).[13] During this period, he contributed to the Pace Patriots' success, including a Class 5A Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) state championship win in 2010 and a state runner-up finish in 2012, with the team reaching the final four in three of his seasons.[14] [15] Across his high school career, Russell compiled a .460 batting average and 37 home runs.[16] In his senior season of 2012, he batted .358 with 8 home runs, 33 runs batted in, and 40 runs scored over 32 games, while drawing 30 walks to achieve a .532 on-base percentage.[16] These performances, combined with his defensive skills at shortstop, positioned him as a top national prospect, leading to his selection by the Oakland Athletics as the 11th overall pick in the first round of the 2012 MLB June Amateur Draft—the team's first high school first-rounder since 2001.[16] [13] He was also named to MaxPreps' 2012 Top 100 baseball recruits.[17]International competitions
Russell represented the United States as a member of the USA Baseball 18U National Team at the 2011 COPABE 18U/AAA Pan American Championships, held in Cartagena, Colombia, from November 21 to 30.[18][19] The team finished with a perfect record, securing the gold medal by defeating Mexico 13-0 in the championship game on November 30.[18] Playing primarily as a shortstop, Russell batted .364 with a .481 on-base percentage and .614 slugging percentage over 15 games, scoring 16 runs and driving in 14 while posting a .968 fielding percentage.[8] In the gold medal game, he hit a grand slam in the first inning, contributing to Team USA's seven-run outburst.[18] His performance highlighted his defensive prowess and offensive potential, earning recognition as a standout amateur prospect prior to his professional draft.[20]Professional career
Draft, minors, and MLB debut with Oakland Athletics
Russell was selected by the Oakland Athletics with the 11th overall pick in the first round of the 2012 MLB Draft out of Pace High School in Pace, Florida, marking the Athletics' first first-round high school selection since 2001.[16][21] He signed with the organization on June 15, 2012, receiving a signing bonus of $2.625 million and forgoing a college commitment to Auburn University.[22][23] Russell's minor league career with Oakland began in 2012, showcasing rapid progression and offensive promise across multiple levels. He appeared in 55 games, batting .369 with 7 home runs and 45 RBIs, splitting time between the rookie-level Arizona League Athletics, short-season A Vermont Lake Monsters (New York-Penn League), and low-A Burlington Bees (Midwest League).[13] In 2013, assigned aggressively to high-A Stockton Ports (California League), he played 110 games organization-wide, hitting .269 with 17 home runs and 60 RBIs, including a late promotion to Triple-A Sacramento River Cats (Pacific Coast League) for evaluation.[13] By 2014, Russell started at Stockton before advancing to Double-A Midland RockHounds (Texas League), where he batted .333 in 13 games; overall in 18 games that year with Oakland affiliates, he hit .295 with 1 home run and 9 RBIs.[13]| Year | Team(s) | Level(s) | G | AVG | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | AZL Athletics, Vermont Lake Monsters, Burlington Bees | Rk, A-, A | 55 | .369 | 7 | 45 |
| 2013 | Stockton Ports, Sacramento River Cats | A+, AAA | 110 | .269 | 17 | 60 |
| 2014 | Stockton Ports, Midland RockHounds | A+, AA | 18 | .295 | 1 | 9 |
Chicago Cubs tenure
Addison Russell was acquired by the Chicago Cubs from the Oakland Athletics on July 5, 2014, in a trade that sent pitchers Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel to Oakland in exchange for Russell, outfielder Billy McKinney, and pitcher Dan Straily.[24] He made his Major League Baseball debut with the Cubs on April 21, 2015, starting at shortstop against the Pittsburgh Pirates.[26] Russell established himself as the Cubs' primary shortstop during his tenure, contributing to their 2016 World Series championship—the franchise's first since 1908. In the 2016 postseason, he batted .222 with defensive highlights, including a critical grand slam in Game 6 of the World Series against the Cleveland Indians on November 1, 2016, which drove in six runs and tied a World Series single-game RBI record.[4] [3] That year, he was selected as the National League's starting All-Star shortstop and posted career highs of 21 home runs and 95 RBIs in the regular season.[27] Over five seasons with the Cubs from 2015 to 2019, Russell appeared in 513 games, batting .242 with 60 home runs, 253 RBIs, and a .704 OPS, while providing solid defense at shortstop and second base.[28] His performance declined after 2016, partly due to injuries and a 40-game suspension in 2018 for violating MLB's Joint Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Policy, which he accepted without appeal following allegations from his ex-wife.[29] The Cubs non-tendered Russell on December 2, 2019, making him a free agent and ending his time with the organization.[30]| Season | Games Played | Batting Average | Home Runs | RBIs | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 142 | .242 | 13 | 54 | .696[2] |
| 2016 | 153 | .261 | 21 | 95 | .784[1] |
| 2017 | 121 | .240 | 12 | 47 | .679[1] |
| 2018 | 53 (pre-suspension) + post | .231 | 3 | 21 | .620[31] |
| 2019 | 66 | .208 | 8 | 30 | .667[1] |
2015–2016 seasons
Russell made his major league debut with the Chicago Cubs on April 21, 2015, shortly after being acquired in a trade from the Oakland Athletics organization.[2] In his rookie season, he split time between second base, where he appeared in 86 games, and shortstop in 61 games, totaling 142 games played.[1][26] Russell posted a .242 batting average with a .307 on-base percentage, .389 slugging percentage, 13 home runs, and 54 runs batted in, while drawing 42 walks against 149 strikeouts.[1] His overall contributions yielded 2.8 wins above replacement.[1] In the 2015 postseason, limited to four games across the Wild Card Game, Division Series, and Championship Series, he batted .250 with one RBI and one stolen base.[1]| Year | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | SB | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | WAR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 142 | 475 | 60 | 115 | 29 | 1 | 13 | 54 | 42 | 149 | 4 | .242 | .307 | .389 | .696 | 2.8[1] |
| 2016 | 151 | 525 | 67 | 125 | 25 | 3 | 21 | 95 | 55 | 135 | 5 | .238 | .321 | .417 | .738 | 3.9[1] |
2017–2019 seasons
In the 2017 season, Russell appeared in 110 games for the Chicago Cubs as their primary shortstop, posting a .239 batting average with 12 home runs and 43 RBIs in 352 at-bats.[1] His performance was hampered by multiple injuries, including a right shoulder discomfort on June 25 that forced him to exit a game early and a right foot strain diagnosed on August 3, leading to a placement on the 10-day disabled list; he aggravated the foot issue with plantar fasciitis later in August, delaying his return until September 16.[35][36][37] Despite these setbacks, the Cubs secured a National League Wild Card berth, though Russell's overall output reflected a decline from his 2016 All-Star form. Russell rebounded slightly in 2018, playing 130 games primarily at shortstop with a .250 average, 5 home runs, and 38 RBIs over 420 at-bats, though his power production dropped notably.[1] On September 21, he was placed on administrative leave by the Cubs amid an MLB investigation into domestic violence allegations, causing him to miss the final 12 regular-season games; the Cubs advanced to the Wild Card Game but were eliminated by the Milwaukee Brewers.[38] On October 3, MLB suspended him for 40 games without pay for violating the league's Joint Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy, a penalty he accepted without appeal, with the remaining 28 games to be served at the start of 2019.[29][39] Following the suspension, Russell returned to the Cubs in late April 2019 but struggled in a diminished role, shifting toward utility infield duties with Javier Báez entrenched at shortstop; he played 82 games, batting .237 with 9 home runs and 23 RBIs in 215 at-bats.[1] Optioned to Triple-A Iowa on May 2 after early inconsistencies, he was recalled shortly thereafter but saw intermittent action.[2] The Cubs again reached the Wild Card Game, losing to the Washington Nationals, with Russell's contributions limited. On December 2, 2019, the Cubs declined to tender him a contract, making him a free agent after five MLB seasons.[40]International leagues
Kiwoom Heroes stints
Following his release from Major League Baseball, Russell signed a one-year contract worth $530,000 with the Kiwoom Heroes of the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) on June 20, 2020.[41] He made his KBO debut on July 28, 2020, and appeared in 65 games that season, batting .254 with 2 home runs, 31 RBIs, a .317 on-base percentage, and a .336 slugging percentage over 244 at-bats.[13] Russell returned to the Kiwoom Heroes for the 2023 season after signing a new contract in December 2022.[42] In 59 games, he hit .286 with 4 home runs and 42 RBIs in 220 at-bats, posting an on-base percentage of .333 and a slugging percentage of .400. His stint ended prematurely on July 13, 2023, when the Heroes released him due to a wrist injury sustained earlier that month, after which he had not played since June 16.[43][13]Acereros de Monclova stints
Russell joined the Acereros del Norte (also known as Acereros de Monclova) of the Mexican League as a free agent on April 12, 2021.[2] In 66 games that year, he batted .319 with 8 home runs and 47 RBIs, achieving a .405 on-base percentage and .494 slugging percentage across 257 at-bats.[13] He continued with Monclova in 2022, playing 80 games and hitting .348 with 24 home runs and 74 RBIs in 279 at-bats, along with a .415 on-base percentage and .651 slugging percentage.[13][44] In 2024, Russell appeared in 82 games for the team, batting .318 with 7 home runs and 51 RBIs over 314 at-bats, recording a .405 on-base percentage and .446 slugging percentage.[13] Through 61 games in the 2025 season as of late October, he maintained a .304 average with 7 home runs and 31 RBIs in 217 at-bats, with a .370 on-base percentage and .493 slugging percentage.[13]Kiwoom Heroes stints
Addison Russell signed a one-year contract worth $530,000 with the Kiwoom Heroes of the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) on June 20, 2020, marking his first professional stint outside Major League Baseball.[45][46] He made his KBO debut on July 28, 2020, and appeared in 65 games that season as an infielder, primarily at shortstop.[47] Russell's performance included a .254 batting average, 2 home runs, and 31 runs batted in, with an on-base percentage of .317 and slugging percentage of .336.[47][42] The Heroes did not retain him after the 2020 season, and he entered free agency without a reported return offer for 2021.[42]| Year | Games | At-Bats | Batting Avg. | Home Runs | RBIs | OBP | SLG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 65 | 244 | .254 | 2 | 31 | .317 | .336 |
| Year | Games | At-Bats | Batting Avg. | Home Runs | RBIs | OBP | SLG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 59 | 220 | .286 | 4 | 42 | .339 | .400 |
Acereros de Monclova stints
Russell signed with the Acereros de Monclova of the Mexican League as a free agent on April 12, 2021, following his release from MLB free agency.[51] In his debut season, he played 66 games, batting .319 with a .405 on-base percentage and .494 slugging percentage, accumulating 82 hits including 17 doubles, 2 triples, and 8 home runs, while driving in 47 runs and stealing 3 bases.[13][52] He returned for the 2022 campaign, his second consecutive year with Monclova, where he led the team with 24 home runs amid a lineup that scored 622 runs overall.[53] Russell maintained his affiliation with the Acereros through 2023 and into 2024, appearing in 82 games that year with 100 hits, 15 doubles, 2 triples, 7 home runs, and 51 RBIs over 314 at-bats.[54] In 2025, he was placed on the reserve list on May 24 before being activated on June 6, continuing his tenure into the latter part of the season.[55]Playing style, statistics, and achievements
Scouting profile and defensive prowess
Addison Russell entered professional baseball as a highly regarded shortstop prospect, drafted 11th overall by the Oakland Athletics in the 2012 MLB Draft. Scouts praised his athleticism, above-average arm strength, and soft hands, projecting him as a plus defender capable of remaining at shortstop.[56] His improved footwork and range enabled highlight-reel plays, earning him recognition as the best defensive infielder in the Athletics' system in 2013 and 2014.[56] Pre-MLB evaluations, such as those from Baseball Prospectus, graded his defense at 50 on the 20-80 scouting scale, indicating average to above-average potential at the position.[57] In Major League Baseball, Russell demonstrated elite defensive prowess during his early years with the Chicago Cubs, particularly from 2015 to 2017. He posted a career Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) of 64, with peaks of 13 in 2015 and 17 in 2016, reflecting his ability to prevent runs through superior fielding at shortstop and second base.[1] Ultimate Zone Rating (UZR) metrics further underscored his range and positioning, recording 14.0 in 2015, 19.4 in 2016, and 16.5 in 2017.[58] These figures ranked him among the top shortstops in the National League, with his 2016 defensive contribution valued at 19.4 runs above average per FanGraphs' calculations.[59] Russell's fielding consistency was evident in his career .973 fielding percentage over 615 games, handling 2,298 chances with 62 errors.[1] He was nominated for a Gold Glove Award in 2016, one of four Cubs infielders recognized that year, highlighting his impact on the team's infield defense during their World Series-winning campaign.[60] Despite no ultimate Gold Glove victory, his metrics and scouting consensus positioned him as a cornerstone defender in the Cubs' up-the-middle alignment.[61]Offensive performance and key metrics
Russell's MLB offensive performance was marked by consistent but below-average production, with a career batting line of .242/.312/.394 across 615 games from 2015 to 2019.[1] His 60 home runs and 253 RBIs reflected moderate power and run production, peaking in 2016 with 21 homers and 95 RBIs, though his overall isolated power (ISO) of .150 indicated gap power rather than elite slugging.[1] [58] A high strikeout rate of approximately 24%—evident in 532 whiffs over 1,987 at-bats—contributed to a career batting average that rarely exceeded .250 seasonally, limiting his on-base consistency despite a respectable walk rate.[1] Advanced metrics underscored his subpar offensive value: an OPS+ of 85 and wRC+ of 87, both signaling 13-15% below league-average run creation adjusted for ballparks, era, and position.[1] [58] His weighted on-base average (wOBA) of .304 aligned with contact-oriented middle infielders but lacked the efficiency for stardom, with a noticeable decline post-2016—wRC+ dropping to 79-80 in 2018-2019 amid reduced extra-base hits (ISO falling to .090 in 2018).[58]| Year | Team | G | AB | HR | RBI | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | wRC+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | CHC | 142 | 475 | 13 | 54 | .242 | .307 | .389 | .696 | 90 |
| 2016 | CHC | 151 | 525 | 21 | 95 | .238 | .321 | .417 | .738 | 95 |
| 2017 | CHC | 110 | 352 | 12 | 43 | .239 | .304 | .418 | .722 | 85 |
| 2018 | CHC | 130 | 420 | 5 | 38 | .250 | .317 | .340 | .657 | 80 |
| 2019 | CHC | 82 | 215 | 9 | 23 | .237 | .308 | .391 | .699 | 79 |
| Career | - | 615 | 1987 | 60 | 253 | .242 | .312 | .394 | .706 | 87 |