| Adam Russell | |
|---|---|
 Russell with the Tampa Bay Rays | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1983-04-14)April 14, 1983 (age 42) North Olmsted, Ohio, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| June 17, 2008, for the Chicago White Sox | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| July 17, 2011, for the Tampa Bay Rays | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 8–3 |
| Earned run average | 3.95 |
| Strikeouts | 67 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Adam William Russell (born April 14, 1983) is an American former professionalbaseballpitcher. He pitched inMajor League Baseball for theChicago White Sox,San Diego Padres, andTampa Bay Rays.
Russell was drafted by theFlorida Marlins in the 26th round (782nd overall) in the2001 Major League Baseball Draft.[1] Opting not to sign, he instead decided to playcollege baseball atOhio University, where he did so for three years.
Russell was selected by theChicago White Sox in the sixth round (179th overall) of the2004 MLB draft.[2] He made his professional debut that year, combining to go 4–2 with a 3.75 ERA in 17 appearances (six starts) between the Rookie-LevelGreat Falls Voyagers and Class-AKannapolis Intimidators in2004.[3] Russell went 4–0 with a 2.37 ERA to earn promotion to Kannapolis on August 23. He made two starts at Kannapolis.[3]
In2005, Russell made 24 starts for Class-A Kannapolis, going 9–7 with a 3.78 ERA.[3] He ranked eighth among White Sox minor leaguers in ERA and finished second on the Intimidators in victories.
Russell was rated byBaseball America as the number seven prospect and possessing the bestfastball in the White Sox farm system entering the2006 season. He was 10–6 with a 3.43 ERA in 27 starts between Class-A AdvancedWinston-Salem Warthogs and the Double-ABirmingham Barons.[3] Russell ranked among the organizational leaders in starts, wins, ERA, strikeouts and innings pitched. Opponents hit .248, including a .210 mark by lefties against Russell. He began the season at Winston-Salem, going 7–3 with a 2.66 ERA in 17 starts.[3] He was promoted to Birmingham on July 12, where he went 3–3 with a 4.75 ERA in 10 starts. He was 2–0 with a 3.65 ERA in 13 relief appearances with theScottsdale Scorpions of theArizona Fall League.[3]
In2007, Russell went 9–11 with a 4.80 ERA and one save in 38 games (20 starts) in his first full season with Double-A Birmingham.[3] Russell began the season in the starting rotation before moving to the bullpen on July 21. He was 7–9 with a 4.61 ERA as a starter and 2–2 with a 5.60 ERA in relief. He made nine quality starts. Russell pitched for thePhoenix Desert Dogs in the Arizona Fall League, going 2–0 with a 2.81 ERA in 11 relief appearances.[3] Russell was again rated byBaseball America as the number seven prospect and possessing the best fastball in the White Sox farm system entering the season. On November 20,2007, Russell's contract was purchased by the White Sox, protecting him from theRule 5 Draft.[4]
Russell split the season between the Triple-ACharlotte Knights of theInternational League and the Major League White Sox in2008. He was 4–0 with a 5.19 ERA in 22 relief appearances in his first season in the Major Leagues.[5] The four wins came in his first 10 Major League outings and three of his four wins came at home and all againstAmerican League Central opponents. He made his Major League debut on June 17 against thePittsburgh Pirates with one perfect inning pitched and his first strikeout againstJosé Bautista.[6] Russell earned his first major league win on July 1 as the White Sox defeated theCleveland Indians 3–2 in 10 innings.[7]
On July 31, 2009, Russell was traded to theSan Diego Padres along withAaron Poreda,Clayton Richard and Dexter Carter forJake Peavy.[8] In 15 games with the Padres, he went 3–1 with a 3.65 ERA in12+1⁄3 innings pitched.[5]
On December 17, 2010, a deal was finalized that sent Russell, along withCesar Ramos,Brandon Gomes andCole Figueroa, to theTampa Bay Rays forJason Bartlett and a player to be named later.[9]
Russell was designated for assignment on July 18, 2011.[10] He cleared waivers a week later and was assigned to Triple-A on July 25.[11]
TheAtlanta Braves signed Russell to a minor league contract on November 22, 2011.[12] He was released on July 21, 2012.[13]
On August 1, 2012, Russell signed with theLos Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and was assigned to the Triple-ASalt Lake Bees.[5]
Russell signed a minor league contract with theBaltimore Orioles on December 5, 2012.[14] He was assigned to the Triple-ANorfolk Tides for the 2013 season, going 3–3 with five saves and a 2.37 ERA in 42 games (three starts).[3]
TheArizona Diamondbacks signed Russell to a minor league contract on November 29, 2013.[15] The Diamondbacks released him on March 27, 2014.[16]
Russell signed a minor league deal with theCincinnati Reds on May 2, 2014.[17] He was released on July 28, 2014.[5]
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