Addison Russell

Addison Wayne Russell (born January 23, 1994) is an American professional baseball shortstop for the Piratas de Campeche of the Mexican League. Russell was drafted 11th overall by the Oakland Athletics in the 2012 Major League Baseball draft. He was traded to the Chicago Cubs in 2014. In 2015, Baseball America listed Russell as the third-best prospect in professional baseball. He made his MLB debut with the Cubs in April 2015 and was an All-Star in 2016. That same year, Russell won the World Series with the Cubs. He has previously played in the KBO League for the Kiwoom Heroes.

Early life

Russell was born on January 23, 1994, in Pensacola, Florida, the eldest of four children raised by mother Milany Ocampo-Russell and stepfather Wayne Russell. Russell's mother is Filipina. The full name on Russell's birth certificate is Geoffreye O'Neal Addison Robert Watts Jr III. He was nearly killed by human respiratory syncytial virus at three months old. He was adopted by his stepfather, Wayne, at 13 years old and took the name Addison Wayne Russell.

Amateur career

High school

Russell attended Pace High School in Florida and in 2010 led his high school to a class 5A FHSAA baseball state championship and a runner-up finish in 2012. Russell played in the 2010 Under Armour All-America Baseball Game, was named a Perfect Game Aflac All-American Game participant and a Louisville Slugger First Team All-American in 2011. He was also ranked as the No. 18 high school prospect by Baseball America and as the No. 24 high school prospect by Perfect Game. In his final high school baseball season, Russell hit for a .368 batting average and recorded a .532 on base percentage. Russell also played high school football at the running back position.