Levine: Elite Cub Prospect Russell Gets Tour Of Wrigley
By Bruce Levine-
(CBS) -- The player who many scouts believe will be a bigger impact player for the Cubs than any of their prospects got the cook's tour of Wrigley Field on Monday.
Shortstop Addison Russell, 20, was in town prior to the Cubs' game against the Cardinals after ending his minor league season with a .295 average, 13 homers and 45 RBIs in 68 games combined in the Oakland and Chicago systems.
The Cubs acquired Russell and two prospects for pitchers Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel on July 4. Russell was pegged as MLB.com's No. 6 prospect in its most recent listings. The young infielder missed April and May with a torn hamstring. He will play in the Arizona Fall League beginning on Oct. 8.
With high-caliber prospects like Russell coming along, the Cubs will have to consider position changes for him or the other shortstops in the system. At this point, they have three top-quality shortstop choices in Russell, Javier Baez and three-time All-Star Starlin Castro.
"(I will play) wherever they need me," Russell said. "I am a person that if you put me in a new (situation), I will try and learn about it and just get the job done. They have not said anything about me moving (positions). If that is the case, I will take on that role and put it in my resume."
A scout who has seen Russell play 30 times was quite high on his potential.
"This young man is going to be a hitter of consequence in the big leagues," the scout said. "He has great bat speed and is a strong kid. His body may outgrow the shortstop position. He is only 20. For now, he can play shortstop and play it well."
Russell is impressed with the quality of players he has seen in his brief stint with the Cubs.
"I have been honored enough to play with some of the guys that are up," Russell said. "Jorge Soler, Corey Black, Kris Bryant, other good arms as well. It is just awesome, the talent we have coming is unreal. I am looking forward to playing with all these guys."
Russell will put in his time working on his game, both internally and externally, during the offseason.
"The mental side of the game is one area," he said. "There is something I can improve on in all facets of the game, especially the speed aspect. With the hamstring injury, I really want to build the hamstring back up. I do want to continue to train my mind, because it is a mental game."
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score and CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
