The Top Ten
- SS Addison Russell
- 3B Kris Bryant
- OF Jorge Soler
- OF Albert Almora
- C Kyle Schwarber
- OF Billy McKinney
- RHP Pierce Johnson
- SS Gleyber Torres
- 1B Dan Vogelbach
- LHP Carson Sands
1. Addison Russell
Position: SS
DOB: 01/23/1994
Height/Weight: 6’0” 195 lbs
Bats/Throws: R/R
Drafted/Acquired: 1st round, 2011 draft, Pace HS (Pace, FL)
Previous Ranking: #1 (Org - OAK), #7 (Top 101)
2014 Stats: .295/.350/.520 at Double-A Midland/Tennessee (68 games)
The Tools: 6 potential hit; 6 potential power; 5+ glove; 6 arm; 5 run
What Happened in 2014: After losing April and May to a torn hamstring, Russell spent the bulk of his age-20 season at Double-A between Midland and Tennessee where he continued to shine on both sides of the ball, surrounded by players several years his senior.
Strengths: Impact potential with the stick; strong hands and barrel control; good bat speed; improved approach; should grow into high-contact MLB bat that will hit for average and power; solid actions at short; good hands with left-side arm; solid run paired with baserunning acumen; clocks plus times out of the box and should settle in as average run at maturity.
Weaknesses: Still working to slow down game in the field; set-up and footwork can get loose, particularly at the margins, leading to drift in throws; can slip into overly aggressive approach at plate.
Overall Future Potential: 7; all-star player
Realistic Role: 6; first-division player
Risk Factor/Injury History: Low; advanced skill set and feel; success as a 20-year-old in Double-A; missed two months early in 2014 season due to hamstring tear, but no long-term concerns.
Bret Sayre’s Fantasy Take: Despite topping this list, Russell isn’t number one fantasy-wise in this system, but he’s still a slam-dunk top-10 fantasy prospect; and moving from Oakland to Chicago only helps his future value. Russell could be a .280-plus hitting shortstop with 20-25 homers and double-digit steals in his prime—which could make him a top-three option at the position—but the presence of Starlin Castro will slow his arrival. For now.
The Year Ahead: Russell is close to major-league ready and possesses the skill set, makeup, and natural ability to make an immediate impact as soon as he is called upon. The profile is an elite blend of offensive upside, defensive stability at a high-worth position, athleticism, and strength; the aggregate of which could produce a perennial all-star capable of impacting the game in all facets. Not only might this be the best collection of tools, upside, and probability from a talented crop of minor-league shortstops, but there's a case for top prospect in the game. He should debut in Chicago in 2015 and it won’t be long before Russell surpasses the ‘L’ stop as the best known Addison in Wrigleyville.
Major league ETA: 2015