Andrew Russell

Andrew Todd Russell

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 0", Weight 202 lb.

• School Texarkana Community College

• Born April 27, 1984 in Melbourne, Victoria (2012 Braves Media Guide says Williamstown, Victoria; Australian sources and BR Minors lists Melbourne) Australia

BR minors page

Biographical Information

Andrew Russell has pitched in the minor leagues.

Russell attended college in the US. Returning to Australia, he went 4 for 21 with a double, triple, two walks, three runs and three RBI as an outfielder for Victoria in the 2006 Claxton Shield. He was their starting left fielder in 2007, going 5 for 20 with a double, walk, two runs and four RBI. In 2008, Andrew batted .286/.367/.476 with 10 runs in 12 games. He was nearly unstoppable in limited action in 2009 (6 for 9, BB, 2 HR). With Victoria in 2010, he hit .348/.430/.489 with 18 runs in 24 games and also pitched 2/3 of an inning. He tied Mitch Graham for fifth in the Claxton Shield in runs and was 7th in average, between Tim Kennelly and Trent D'Antonio.

The Australian Baseball League was re-established in 2010-2011 and Russell did very well, batting .357/.422/.589 with 7 homers, 25 runs and 27 RBI in 36 games for the Melbourne Aces. He was among the ABL leaders in average (2nd to Michael Collins), OBP (3rd after Tom Brice and Ronnie Welty), slugging (2nd to Jamie McOwen), OPS (4th, but only 14 points behind #1 McOwen), runs (tied for 8th), hits (4th), doubles (tied for 4th), home runs (tied for 5th) and RBI (4th after McOwen, Roberts and Justin Huber).

Russell signed with the Atlanta Braves, beginning his minor league career at age 27. The scout was Australian legend Phil Dale. He struck out in his only at-bat, being used mostly as a pitcher with the 2011 Lynchburg Hillcats (2-2, 4.67 in 33 G). He made the Australian national team for the 2011 Baseball World Cup. Used solely as a pitcher, he did very well, giving up only three hits and one unearned run in seven innings over four outings. He worked three shutout innings in a win over Nicaragua, retired all six batters he faced in saving Justin Erasmus's win over Germany and tossed 1 2/3 hitless innings to wrap up Ryan Searle's shutout of Team Canada (the eventual Bronze Medalists). In his last outing, though, he relieved Dushan Ruzic in the 8th inning of a 1-1 game with the Dutch national team. He hit Curt Smith and allowed a Bryan Engelhardt single. Russell made an error on a pick-off attempt then Sharlon Schoop grounded in Smith with the winner, saddling Russell with the loss.

Despite being Melbourne's top hitter the prior season, Andrew was only a reliever for the team in the 2011-2012 ABL, going 2-1 with 3 saves and a 4.08 ERA. In the finale, his wild pitch in the bottom of the 13th inning let Perth's Jamie McOwen score the winning run, costing the Aces a title. In 2012-2013, he had a 5.06 ERA in 10 games for the Aces. He made Australia's roster for the 2013 World Baseball Classic.

Sources

• Flintoff & Dunn Australian Baseball Almanac
• Australian Baseball Federation
• IBAF
• Australian Baseball League