Landon
Russell

'22 RHP/SS Landon Russell (No. 1, Auburn recruit) started Game 2 for Russell County HS on the mound and showed a bit of increase in velocity in the process. Only tossed three innings, but worked 89-91, 93 mph in his start. Commanded the pitch well to the glove side against right-handed hitters. Mixed & matched it with a tight 76-77 mph slider that worked well off the fastball. Really showed the ability to spin it and land the slider for strikes, which led to his success on the mound. Has shown a fading changeup in previous outings, but was mostly fastball/slider combo here. It's a live arm on the mound with an athletic makeup. Helped his own cause by driving in 4 RBI's in this game, as he doubled and singled. Made hard contact in both games, and continues to be a real two-way threat.

6-foot, 175 pound athletic frame. Russell did multiple things at a high level during a HS scrimmage prior to the start of the 2021 season. Starting on the mound, Russell opened up in the first working 88-89 mph and bumped 91 mph on his last pitch of the inning. Got hit around a bit, but settled in during the middle innings at 86-88 mph and had more success with more quality strikes. Fastball has some two-seam action. Flashed a few sliders, but the main weapon in his arsenal was a changeup at 77-78 mph that had similar action off the fastball. Generated numerous swings and misses and used it as an out-pitch with two strikes. Ramped the velocity back up in his final inning, as he hit 90 mph on one of his final pitches of the outing. Offensively, he recorded a hard hit single in his 3rd at-bat of the scrimmage. Adjusted well to a breaking ball and served it through the 6 hole. Exceptional athlete that has some fast twitch muscles. Arm strength translates to the infield. Covers tons of ground at shortstop. Auburn recruit.

Russell is a physical player with quick-twitch and athletic actions all over the field at 6 feet, 175 pounds. He can really pick it in the dirt, has plenty of arm strength, throwing 90 across the diamond, and is a plus runner with a 6.71 60. At the plate, he has easy juice from a tilted swing path and creates backspin off the barrel with a 97 mph exit velocity off a tee. If that isn’t enough, he jumps on the mound and shows a solid arsenal of secondary pitches to complement his 85-88 fastball, which can bump 89.