1. Early Life and Amateur Career
James Russell's baseball journey began during his high school years and continued through a successful college career, leading to his professional drafting.
1.1. High School Career
Russell attended Colleyville Heritage High School where he was a member of the school's baseball team. Following his senior year, he was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 37th round of the 2004 Major League Baseball draft. However, Russell chose not to sign with the Mariners, opting instead to attend Navarro College to continue his amateur career.
1.2. College Career
After his time at Navarro College, Russell was drafted once more by the Seattle Mariners in the 17th round of the 2005 Major League Baseball draft, but he again did not sign. He subsequently transferred to the University of Texas, where he played for the Texas Longhorns baseball team as a starting pitcher for one season. During his single season with the Longhorns, Russell achieved an 8-4 win-loss record with a 3.86 earned run average (ERA). His performance earned him a selection to the second team All-Big 12.
2. Professional Career
James Russell's professional career saw him move through various levels of baseball, including multiple stints in Major League Baseball and time in independent and Mexican leagues.
2.1. Chicago Cubs (first stint)
Russell was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 14th round of the 2007 Major League Baseball draft, as the 427th overall selection. He signed with the Cubs on August 9 for 350.00 K USD. Following his signing, Russell was assigned to the rookie-level Arizona League Cubs. After only one start, he was promoted to the Single-A Peoria Chiefs, where he struck out nine batters and allowed only three hits in seven innings over two games. On August 25, 2007, Russell contributed to a combined no-hitter with the Chiefs.
In 2008, Russell began the season with the High-A Daytona Cubs, earning his first win against the Jupiter Hammerheads on April 26. Three days later, he was called up to the Double-A Tennessee Smokies, where he spent most of the season before being sent back to the Cubs for the playoffs. In a combined 25 starts across both levels, Russell finished with a 6-8 record, a 5.44 ERA, and a 1.453 WHIP.
Russell started the 2009 season with Tennessee, eventually converting from a starter to a relief pitcher. After 11 appearances with the Smokies, he was promoted to the Triple-A Iowa Cubs, where he primarily pitched in relief but also made seven starts. Between Tennessee and Iowa, Russell posted a 5-6 record with a 4.03 ERA and a 1.403 WHIP in 37 games, including 12 starts. After the season, he played for the Mesa Solar Sox in the Arizona Fall League, which typically features top prospects.
In 2010, Russell earned a spot on the Cubs' Opening Day roster after a strong spring training where he allowed no runs in 11 innings. He made his Major League Baseball debut on April 5, pitching two scoreless innings against the Atlanta Braves. Russell became the 97th former Texas Longhorn to make his major league debut and helped extend Texas' streak of having a former player debut in the major leagues to nine consecutive seasons. He made 20 appearances for the Cubs with a 0-1 record and a 4.20 ERA before being optioned to Triple-A Iowa on June 12. He was recalled on June 29 after Carlos Zambrano was placed on the restricted list and John Grabow went on the disabled list. Russell concluded the 2010 season with a 1-1 record, a 4.96 ERA, and a 1.347 WHIP in 57 appearances. The Chicago Tribune later cited the inclusion of Russell and other inexperienced relievers in the Cubs' bullpen as one of the team's significant mistakes that season.
Russell continued to be a consistent reliever for the Cubs. In 2011, he made 64 appearances, recording a 1-6 record with a 4.12 ERA, 43 strikeouts, and a 1.33 WHIP. He improved in 2012, appearing in 77 games, achieving a 7-1 record, a 3.25 ERA, 55 strikeouts, and a 1.298 WHIP. In 2012, Russell also recorded his first career save. In 2013, he pitched in 74 games, finishing with a 1-6 record, a 3.59 ERA, 37 strikeouts, and a 1.215 WHIP.
2.2. Atlanta Braves
On July 31, 2014, Russell was traded along with Emilio Bonifacio to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for Víctor Caratini. In 22 appearances for the Braves, he posted a 2.22 ERA across 24 and 1/3 innings pitched, striking out 16 batters. Russell was released by the Braves on March 29, 2015.
2.3. Chicago Cubs (second stint)
On April 8, 2015, Russell signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs, returning to his former team. His contract was selected to the major league roster on May 5. During this second stint with the Cubs, he recorded an 0-2 record with a 5.29 ERA. On September 1, he was designated for assignment and subsequently cleared waivers, being sent outright to the Triple-A Iowa Cubs on September 3. He elected free agency on October 6, following the season.
2.4. Philadelphia Phillies
Russell signed a minor league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies on November 12, 2015, which included an invitation to spring training. He made the Phillies' Opening Day roster, with his contract being selected on April 2, 2016. However, his performance was challenging, as he struggled to an 18.69 ERA with 4 strikeouts in 4 and 1/3 innings pitched across 7 appearances. On April 20, Russell was designated for assignment by the Phillies. He cleared waivers and was outrighted to the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs on April 22. Russell elected free agency after the season on October 3.
2.5. Independent and Mexican League Career
On February 15, 2017, Russell signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians that included an invitation to spring training, but he was released on March 31, prior to the start of the season.
On April 25, 2017, Russell signed with the Texas AirHogs of the American Association of Professional Baseball. In 9 starts for the AirHogs, he compiled a 3-1 record and a 2.79 ERA, recording 46 strikeouts over 58 innings pitched. On July 7, 2017, Russell moved to the Mexican League, signing with the Leones de Yucatán. In 5 starts for Yucatán, he posted a 2.03 ERA with 27 strikeouts over 31 innings. He was released by the Leones on January 9, 2018.
Russell signed a minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers on January 24, 2018. He made two appearances for the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens, where he had an 0-1 record with a 15.00 ERA and 2 strikeouts over 3 innings. He was released by the Tigers organization on May 8. On May 29, 2018, Russell signed with the Sugar Land Skeeters of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. In 20 appearances, including 18 starts, for Sugar Land, he logged an 8-4 record and a 2.36 ERA with 98 strikeouts across 106 and 2/3 innings pitched. Russell and the Skeeters won the Atlantic League Championship, and he was named the Skeeters Pitcher of the Year for 2018. He became a free agent after the season.
On April 3, 2019, Russell signed with the Toros de Tijuana of the Mexican League. In 19 games, 18 of which were starts, for Tijuana, he compiled an 8-4 record and a 3.26 ERA with 66 strikeouts over 88 and 1/3 innings pitched. Russell did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the Mexican League season as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
On March 23, 2021, Russell was traded to the Algodoneros de Unión Laguna of the Mexican League. In 7 starts for the Algodoneros, he posted a 2-2 record and a 3.67 ERA, striking out 23 batters over 34 and 1/3 innings pitched. He was released on December 14, following the season.
2.6. Post-Retirement Activities
On March 24, 2022, after concluding his professional playing career, James Russell joined TPA Baseball Texas as an instructor, transitioning into a role focused on player development and training.
3. Pitching Style
James Russell's pitching style was notable for its reliance on his slider as his primary pitch, a characteristic distinct from most pitchers who feature a fastball as their most common offering. His slider typically registered at speeds between 79 mph and 83 mph. He also utilized a variety of other pitches, including four-seam and two-seam fastballs, which were thrown at around 89 mph to 90 mph. Other pitches in his repertoire included a cutter (86 mph to 88 mph), a curveball (72 mph to 75 mph), and a changeup (80 mph to 83 mph).
Russell adjusted his pitch selection based on the handedness of the batter. Against left-handed batters, he predominantly threw four-seam fastballs and sliders, with virtually no changeups. When facing right-handed batters, he incorporated a greater variety of pitches, increasing his usage of two-seam fastballs, cutters, and changeups.
4. Personal Life
James Russell comes from a baseball family with notable connections within Major League Baseball. His father is Jeff Russell, a former MLB pitcher who recorded 186 saves and led the American League in saves in 1989. James Russell is married to Nikki Witt. His brother-in-law is Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., the brother of his wife.
5. Career Statistics
This section provides a summary of James Russell's statistical achievements throughout his professional baseball career, including detailed Major League Baseball pitching statistics and a list of his uniform numbers.
5.1. Major League Statistics
| Season | Team | G | GS | CG | SHO | SV | W | L | HLD | BS | W-L% | TBF | IP | H | HR | BB | IBB | HBP | SO | WP | BK | R | ER | ERA | WHIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | CHC | 57 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 | .500 | 219 | 49.0 | 55 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 4 | 42 | 2 | 0 | 37 | 27 | 4.96 | 1.35 |
| 2011 | CHC | 64 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 6 | .143 | 292 | 67.2 | 76 | 12 | 14 | 4 | 2 | 43 | 1 | 0 | 37 | 31 | 4.12 | 1.33 |
| 2012 | CHC | 77 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 13 | .875 | 292 | 69.1 | 67 | 5 | 23 | 7 | 1 | 55 | 1 | 1 | 28 | 25 | 3.25 | 1.30 |
| 2013 | CHC | 74 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 19 | .143 | 214 | 52.2 | 46 | 7 | 18 | 6 | 1 | 37 | 1 | 0 | 21 | 21 | 3.59 | 1.22 |
| 2014 | CHC | 44 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 | .000 | 142 | 33.1 | 24 | 3 | 16 | 2 | 1 | 26 | 1 | 0 | 14 | 13 | 3.51 | 1.20 |
| 2014 | ATL | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | ---- | 96 | 24.1 | 21 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 2.22 | 1.03 |
| 2014 Total | 66 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 6 | .000 | 238 | 57.2 | 45 | 3 | 20 | 3 | 1 | 42 | 1 | 0 | 20 | 19 | 2.97 | 1.13 | |
| 2015 | CHC | 49 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 8 | .000 | 148 | 34.0 | 42 | 3 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 20 | 5.29 | 1.50 |
| 2016 | PHI | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | ---- | 27 | 4.1 | 9 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 9 | 18.69 | 3.23 |
| MLB Total (7 years) | 394 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 18 | 4 | 59 | .357 | 1430 | 334.2 | 340 | 44 | 100 | 22 | 9 | 243 | 6 | 1 | 176 | 152 | 4.09 | 1.32 | |
5.2. Uniform Numbers
- 40 (2010-2014, 2015-2016 with the Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies)
- 51 (2014 with the Atlanta Braves)