The Cubs are convinced that young Addison Russell will thrive at shortstop, as ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick writes. Russell is just four years removed from anchoring the Pace High School Patriots’ starting infield, but they believe that he is mature beyond his years.”He’s got a good head on his shoulders,” Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein said of the 22-year-old. “He’s our youngest player, but he might be the one we worry about the least.” Russell was the No. 11 overall pick in the 2012 draft by the Athletics and figured to be a big part of their future until he was shipped to Chicago in the Jeff Samardzija trade. In his first big league season, Russell slashed .242/.307/.389 as he adjusted to major league pitching. This year, the Cubs are hoping that the shortstop will provide them with a line closer to the combined .295/.350/.508 he posted at the Class A+ and Double-A levels in 2014.
Here’s more out of the NL Central:
- The Cubs are stacked with position players and they have great trade chips if they want to go out and add a pitcher, MLB.com’s Phil Rogers writes. After signing Jason Heyward and Ben Zobrist this witer, the Cubs have a bit of a logjam as they try to get playing time for Kyle Schwarber, Jorge Soler, and Javier Baez. On top of that, the team has even more young hitters in the pipeline, so they can afford to work from their surplus.
- Cardinals prospect Luke Weaver is impressing early in Spring Training, as Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com writes. Weaver, ranked as one of St. Louis’ top prospects in 2016, projects to open this season at Double-A Springfield. Weaver has been working with veteran right-handers Adam Wainwright and Lance Lynn, Langosch notes, picking up tips on his curveball and release point. “We always try and figure out how to put some of the young players with guys they can watch and emulate a little bit,” Matheny explained to Langosch. “We just thought Luke would be one of the guys who would benefit from not just the spoken, but the watching the habits that have become second nature for Adam.”
- Reds Rule 5 picks Chris O’Grady and Jake Cave are eager to show what they can do in camp, as Mark Sheldon of MLB.com writes. It’s been nine years since the Reds last successfully carried a Rule 5 pick all season, Sheldon notes, when the club had a pair of excellent Rule 5 pickups in right-hander Jared Burton and outfielder Josh Hamilton. Cave, selected out of the Yankees organization, spoke to Sheldon about the importance of maximizing an opportunity with Cincinnati, as the Yankees have a fairly notable logjam in the outfield, whereas the Reds have a clearer path to at-bats. Manager Bryan Price spoke to Sheldon about each player’s chances, noting that video alone of O’Grady on the mound has impressed him, while Cave faces a challenge going from an everyday role in the minors to either a platoon situation or a reserve that would move all over the outfield.
Addison Russell could easily be a top 5 SS at the end of the year, he has a ton of upside.
Do you think he’s an eventual GG candidate?
He probably should have won one last year. With Simmons in the AL now, its much more open.
He sure is! Awesome glove
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Schwarber, Soler, Kendrick & Baez for Gray and Reddick…come on Theo and Billy, make this happen this week!
Lol wow
Why. Glad your not the cubs gm
The Cubs don’t have a player named Kendrick.
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.
Love your work MLBTR, but this article has sooo many typos.
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.
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
Might be one of Billy Beane’s worst trades????
If they had won the WS, they wouldn’t think so.
Well they didn’t win it, so…