Addison Russ

Robert Addison Russ

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 1", Weight 200 lb.
• School Houston Baptist University
• High School Randall High School

• Born October 29, 1994 in Amarillo, TX USA

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

Pitcher Addison Russ was drafted in the 19th round of the 2017 amateur draft by the Philadelphia Phillies out of Houston Baptist University. He was signed by Will Brunson and made his debut that same year with the Williamsport Crosscutters of the New York-Penn League, also pitching for the Lakewood Blue Claws of the South Atlantic League that season. He went a combined 1-2, 3.98 in 17 games, all in relief. In 2018, he put up excellent numbers between Lakewood and the Clearwater Threshers of the Florida State League, going 9-2, 1.68 with 27 saves in 54 games. In 64 1/3 inning, he allowed just 44 hits and 15 walks, while striking out 79 opponents. He was a mid-season All-Star at Lakewood.

He moved up to the AA Eastern League with the Reading Fightin' Phils in 2019 and had another good season, making 55 appearances while going 5-6, 2.54. He recorded another 22 saves and once again had an excellent strikeout rate, with 81 Ks and 20 walks in 56 2/3 innings. He repeated as a mid-season All-Star. With the big league Phillies having huge difficulties with their bullpen at the start of 2020, he would have been a logical candidate to be called up and given a chance to help out, but instead, on August 21st, he was traded to the New York Yankees in return for an experienced major league arm, David Hale. It was one of two trades made by the Phillies that day, as their season was in danger of circling down the drain, in order to acquire experienced bullpen arms.

He is not to be confused with contemporary infielder Addison Russell.