A fastball with hop has a flat approach angle and visually jumps through the zone. When thrown up in the zone, it is more likely to generate a higher swing and miss average. Hop+ of 100 is MLB average.
Fastball
Sink+
A fastball with sink has low backspin and drops through the strike zone. When thrown down in the zone, it is more likely to generate a higher ground ball percentage and lower launch angle. Sink+ of 100 is MLB average.
Fastball
Rise+
A fastball with rise has a high percentage of backspin. When thrown up in the zone, it is more likely to generate a higher fly ball percentage. Rise+ of 100 is MLB average
Curveball
Hammer+
A hammer breaking ball drops vertically with velocity through the zone, or 12-to-6 movement. Hammer+ of 100 is MLB average.
Curveball
Sweep+
A sweeping breaking ball moves horizontally with velocity through the zone. Sweep+ of 100 is MLB average.
Fastball
Hop+
A fastball with hop has a flat approach angle and visually jumps through the zone. When thrown up in the zone, it is more likely to generate a higher swing and miss average. Hop+ of 100 is MLB average.
Fastball
Sink+
A fastball with sink has low backspin and drops through the strike zone. When thrown down in the zone, it is more likely to generate a higher ground ball percentage and lower launch angle. Sink+ of 100 is MLB average.
Fastball
Rise+
A fastball with rise has a high percentage of backspin. When thrown up in the zone, it is more likely to generate a higher fly ball percentage. Rise+ of 100 is MLB average
Curveball
Hammer+
A hammer breaking ball drops vertically with velocity through the zone, or 12-to-6 movement. Hammer+ of 100 is MLB average.
Curveball
Sweep+
A sweeping breaking ball moves horizontally with velocity through the zone. Sweep+ of 100 is MLB average.
The maximum speed, in the direction of home plate, that the wrist is traveling. Measured in meters per second (m/s)
Arm Slot
Angle of the forearm relative to the ground between maximum external rotation (MER) and ball release (BR). Which can be a powerful player comparison metric, delivered in degrees.
Knee Extension Velo
The angular velocity of the front knee straightening after foot plant, which provides indicators of velocity potential. Measured in degrees per second.
Deception
The amount of time that the ball is visible to the hitter, after the instant of front foot strike. Measures in milliseconds.
Hip-Shoulder Separation
The difference in angle of between the hips and shoulders, occurring close to the foot plant. Measured in degrees.
Currently ranked No. 87 in the state. Strong-bodied, 6-foot-3, 210-pound frame. Russo worked his fastball up to 86 mph and cruised primarily in the 83-85 mph range. To pair off the fastball, he went to a 73-74 mph breaking ball that flashed sharp and slurvy action.
7/11/23
RHP Kaden Russo (Elk Mound, 2024) was dominant on the mound and showed why he remains a name-to-follow in Wisconsin’s 2024 class. The 6-foot-3, 210 pound, right-handed arm was present at The Rock on Tuesday and made a loud statement on the mound during live gameplay. Profiling as a larger frame with strength throughout, Russo was comfortable and fluid on the mound as he struck out four batters across two innings of work. Featuring a stretch-only delivery, Russo worked within his legs featuring a drop and drive delivery that harnessed the strength his lower half has to offer. With a repeatable motion that stays online toward home, Russo fires from a three-quarter arm slot. The incoming senior ran his fastball up to 85 mph, and showcased a four-pitch mix that included a changeup, a curveball, and a slider.
7/11/23
Positional Profile: RHP/OF Body: 6-3, 210-pounds. Thick, long levers, strength throughout. Delivery: Stretch only, drop and drive lower half. repeats, finishes online to home. Arm Action: RH. 3/4 slot, short online arc, repeats. FB: T85, 83-85 mph. Area strikes, with tail. T2381, 2246 average rpm. CB: 72-75 mph. 11/5 shape with gradual break. T2513, 2322 average rpm. SL: 72-74 mph. 10/4 sharp breaker swing and miss out pitch. T2144, 2095 average rpm. CH: 74-74 mph. Deceptive out of the hand with depth. T2089, 1732 average rpm.
7/02/23
Russo impressed in front of our staff during his quarter final start on Sunday morning. The now 6-foot-3, 210-pound right-handed pitcher has added noticeable strength since we had last seen him in March of 2022. Athletic mover on the mound that maintains arm speed with all pitches. Russo displayed an uptick in velocity since the last time we had seen him. Fastball worked 83-86 mph throughout the game, topping at 87 mph and earning swings and misses up in the zone. Playing off his fastball, Russo went to a mid-70s curveball that displayed late, two-plane break that made it hard for hitters to pick up. A high-end uncommitted ‘24 arm in the state to keep on your radar. Ranked No. 87 in Wisconsin’s 2024 class.
3/13/22
Positional Profile: RHP/3B Body: 6-3, 190-pounds. Long, lean, thin waist, loose mover. Delivery: Slow tempo, coil and drop delivery. Arm Action: RH. Moderate arm length, deep pocket stab, 3/4 slot. FB: T81.9, 81.4-81.8 mph. Natural carry through the zone. T2230, 2146 average rpm. CB: 70.9-72.0 mph. Tightly spun. Thrown for strikes. T2258, 2188 average rpm. CH: 72.1-73.2 mph. Flashed feel. Slight downer action. T1609, 1524 average rpm.
3/13/22
Built at a solid 6-foot-3, 190 pounds with room to fill out, Russo caught our staff’s attention during our time in Madison. On the bump Russo starts from a methodical windup then turns into his back hip to drive down the mound. His fastball got up to 81.9 mph with some natural carry through the zone, and it projects especially well. As for his offspeed, he features a tightly spun breaking ball with feel to spot up. On his changeup, he flashed feel for it while producing some slight downer action. With his large frame and athleticism he shows on the mound, Russo will be a name to follow if he keeps trending in the right direction.
7/02/21
Russo is an athletic 6-foot-3, and he generates above-average velocity with it, measured at 80-83 mph, with slight, natural arm-side run. Though his offspeed was inconsistent, both the curve and change flashed potential as Russo earned more reps and continued to develop.
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Currently ranked No. 87 in the state. Strong-bodied, 6-foot-3, 210-pound frame. Russo worked his fastball up to 86 mph and cruised primarily in the 83-85 mph range. To pair off the fastball, he went to a 73-74 mph breaking ball that flashed sharp and slurvy action.
RHP Kaden Russo (Elk Mound, 2024) was dominant on the mound and showed why he remains a name-to-follow in Wisconsin’s 2024 class. The 6-foot-3, 210 pound, right-handed arm was present at The Rock on Tuesday and made a loud statement on the mound during live gameplay. Profiling as a larger frame with strength throughout, Russo was comfortable and fluid on the mound as he struck out four batters across two innings of work. Featuring a stretch-only delivery, Russo worked within his legs featuring a drop and drive delivery that harnessed the strength his lower half has to offer. With a repeatable motion that stays online toward home, Russo fires from a three-quarter arm slot. The incoming senior ran his fastball up to 85 mph, and showcased a four-pitch mix that included a changeup, a curveball, and a slider.
Positional Profile: RHP/OF
Body: 6-3, 210-pounds. Thick, long levers, strength throughout.
Delivery: Stretch only, drop and drive lower half. repeats, finishes online to home.
Arm Action: RH. 3/4 slot, short online arc, repeats.
FB: T85, 83-85 mph. Area strikes, with tail. T2381, 2246 average rpm.
CB: 72-75 mph. 11/5 shape with gradual break. T2513, 2322 average rpm.
SL: 72-74 mph. 10/4 sharp breaker swing and miss out pitch. T2144, 2095 average rpm.
CH: 74-74 mph. Deceptive out of the hand with depth. T2089, 1732 average rpm.
Russo impressed in front of our staff during his quarter final start on Sunday morning. The now 6-foot-3, 210-pound right-handed pitcher has added noticeable strength since we had last seen him in March of 2022. Athletic mover on the mound that maintains arm speed with all pitches. Russo displayed an uptick in velocity since the last time we had seen him. Fastball worked 83-86 mph throughout the game, topping at 87 mph and earning swings and misses up in the zone. Playing off his fastball, Russo went to a mid-70s curveball that displayed late, two-plane break that made it hard for hitters to pick up. A high-end uncommitted ‘24 arm in the state to keep on your radar. Ranked No. 87 in Wisconsin’s 2024 class.
Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 6-3, 190-pounds. Long, lean, thin waist, loose mover.
Delivery: Slow tempo, coil and drop delivery.
Arm Action: RH. Moderate arm length, deep pocket stab, 3/4 slot.
FB: T81.9, 81.4-81.8 mph. Natural carry through the zone. T2230, 2146 average rpm.
CB: 70.9-72.0 mph. Tightly spun. Thrown for strikes. T2258, 2188 average rpm.
CH: 72.1-73.2 mph. Flashed feel. Slight downer action. T1609, 1524 average rpm.
Built at a solid 6-foot-3, 190 pounds with room to fill out, Russo caught our staff’s attention during our time in Madison. On the bump Russo starts from a methodical windup then turns into his back hip to drive down the mound. His fastball got up to 81.9 mph with some natural carry through the zone, and it projects especially well. As for his offspeed, he features a tightly spun breaking ball with feel to spot up. On his changeup, he flashed feel for it while producing some slight downer action. With his large frame and athleticism he shows on the mound, Russo will be a name to follow if he keeps trending in the right direction.
Russo is an athletic 6-foot-3, and he generates above-average velocity with it, measured at 80-83 mph, with slight, natural arm-side run. Though his offspeed was inconsistent, both the curve and change flashed potential as Russo earned more reps and continued to develop.