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By Zachary Links | at
Email a copy of 'NL Central Notes: Russell, Cubs, Weaver, Reds' to a friend
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dwilson10
Addison Russell could easily be a top 5 SS at the end of the year, he has a ton of upside.
Larry D.
Do you think he’s an eventual GG candidate?
Brixton
He probably should have won one last year. With Simmons in the AL now, its much more open.
djtommyaces
He sure is! Awesome glove
dwilson10
I believe he could be. I’d say within the next five years. Since he’s only 22 he still has some learning to do, but he’s already very talented.
willreily
I feel like top 5 isn’t as likely this year. He would have to really breakout, not saying he doesn’t have the potential, of course he does.
It’s just he has to compete with the likes of Correa, Tulo, Bogaerts, Seager, Jung-ho Kang, Brandon Crawford, and other Shortstops who will breakout or advance their stock. Last year his slash line was .242/.307/.389. And that came with 142 games, so it’s not like he didn’t get a lot of playing time. That being said, he’s still only 22 this next season. He’ll have plenty of time to adjust and do well. I just don’t know if he makes that jump this year.
One thing, however, is he is arguably the most intriguing young player on their roster not named Bryant or Rizzo. Russell has the biggest upside over Soler, Baez, Schwarber, because not only can he field and run well, but he has pop and eventually can make consistent contact. 5-tool players don’t show up often, but I think Russell definitely has that ability.
chesteraarthur
I think the biggest upside on the cubs roster is without a doubt Baez. He has an upside of a quality defensive middle infielder with 40+hr power. He’s likely not ever gonna sniff that, but that is his upside.
I think Russel has the brightest future of the group (minus kb) for the reasons you mentioned, however.
willreily
Yeah 40 HRs for a Middle Infielder would be amazing. I was just thinking in terms of all-around potential. Baez may never hit above .260 at the MLB level. Whereas Russell eventually could string together seasons where he steals 20 bases, hit 20 HRs, and hits ,300, That coupled with GG defense, I feel like he’s more of a perennial MVP candidate than Baez, Soler, or Schwarber.
chesteraarthur
Russell is better than Baez with the glove, but he’s not bad either. He’s also probably not gonna steal 20 bases, but he can add value with his base running, too.
With that said, it’s entirely possible, depending on the make up of their hits that Baez at .260 and 40hrs is a more valuable player than Russel at .300/20/20.
Priggs89
MVP is still more about the flashy numbers. If Schwarber hit .260 with 40 homers and 100+ RBI’s, he’d be much more likely to get the award than Russell at the numbers you listed. Maybe that’ll change in the future, but I don’t see it happening anytime soon.
A'sfaninUK
Schwarber, Soler, Kendrick & Baez for Gray and Reddick…come on Theo and Billy, make this happen this week!
Acuña Matata
Lol wow
Flubs
Why. Glad your not the cubs gm
Kayrall
The Cubs don’t have a player named Kendrick.
henning619
Theo would laugh and say NO WAY! Now maybe a deal like this sounds better. Soler , Hendricks and minor leaguer Vogelbach and possibly another prospect in exchange for Sonny Gray and Vogt sounds a lot better. We have enough outfielders and also Schwarber ain’t going no where. He is a tremendous hitter and the Cubs will make sure he has a position to play everyday. His bat is too valuable.
RangersFan4Life
Love your work MLBTR, but this article has sooo many typos.
SeanStL
Russell’s biggest asset is his glove. I don’t see him as a great hitter, maybe something similar to a Castro good year with a 290 avg. He strikes out a ton and can’t steal bases. I’m still hoping for another starter, but only if he is significantly better than hammel and controllable for a couple of years.
chesteraarthur
He has a future
hit 55/game pwr 55/rawpwr60/speed55. That’s not really the same mold as castro. I think he’ll end up with a lot more power than castro
notagain27
Might be one of Billy Beane’s worst trades????
stymeedone
If they had won the WS, they wouldn’t think so.
Priggs89
Well they didn’t win it, so…