Russell Focused On Improvement After MSU Commitment

Korbyn Russell LHP / 1B / East Jordan, MI / 2025

EAST JORDAN - With a college commitment now in the past, the focus is on the future for Korbyn Russell.

“I need to increase my velocity, and get more consistent with my speed,” explained the Michigan State commit, who throws a two-seam, four-seam, slider and curveball. “My location is pretty good, but I want to implement another pitch to keep them off-balanced. I’m working on a change-up.”

Michigan State sees a lot of promise in the East Jordan High School senior southpaw.

“They like the different pitches I throw, and the way I mix it up to keep batters off balanced.”

With the third most strikeouts per seven innings in Michigan history this past high school season, fanning 157 in 70.1 innings, the 17th-rated 2025 left-handed pitcher in the state had the attention of “some smaller schools” until MSU entered the picture.

“A while back I sent a bunch of emails out and (assistant) coach (Graham) Sikes came to see me pitch and liked what he saw,” Russell reflected about initial interest from the Michigan State recruiting coordinator. “He wanted to schedule a visit and two weeks later I went and met some players and coaches. I like the culture, the facilities are awesome and they’re very organized with their student-athletes. It was a good fit.”

College baseball has, admittedly, been a goal for some time.

“I’ve always dreamed about it since I knew what college was,” the 140th-ranked senior in Michigan related. “Two or three years ago when I got into high school I knew some of the best players around and knew that I was right up there with them.”

Improvement has come with a lot of assistance, with Russell pointing to his catcher Ryder Malpass and high school baseball and football coach Adam Grybauskas along with his father Jay Russell, his pitching coach.

“I’ve been to a bunch of camps but not sure if they helped me, I didn’t get much interest from them,” Russell said about recruitment during his baseball journey. “Prep Baseball tournaments definitely helped with all the metrics they have. Coaches see that.”

Engineering or business will be the major for the 4.0 student, who is confident about playing an important role in the Big 10 Conference program at Michigan State, 21/2 hours from home.

“I want to get faster, but I know I can get batters off balanced and mix them up giving them different looks,” noted Russell, who has high expectations about what the future holds. “I’m looking forward to the challenge. It’s not going to be easy, but I’m looking forward to overcoming any obstacles along the way.”

It has the recently-turned 18-year-old fixated on making strides in his game.

“Of course it was exciting to make a commitment but now I need to get prepared for the next step,” Russell said. “I’m going to implement a lifting program now. I just need to continue to work to get better.”