Chicago, IL (SportsNetwork.com) – The Chicago Cubs called up infielder Addison
Russell from Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday.
Russell will waste little time making his major league debut, as manager Joe
Maddon has him starting at second base and batting ninth when the Cubs take on
the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park Tuesday night.
Russell, 21, entered the 2015 season ranked as the third-best prospect in the
game by Baseball America and the second-best prospect in the Cubs farm system
after being named the top prospect in Oakland’s system heading into both the
2013 and 2014 campaigns. A first-round pick in the 2012 Draft (11th overall),
Russell was acquired by the Cubs with outfielder Billy McKinney and
right-hander Dan Straily from Oakland for right-handers Jeff Samardzija and
Jason Hammel last July 5.
In 11 games with Triple-A Iowa this season, Russell hit .318 with one homer
and nine RBI.
Russell hit .301 with 57 doubles, 20 triples, 38 home runs and 159 RBI in 244
minor league games covering the last four seasons. The right-handed hitter
has posted a .377 on-base percentage and a .520 slugging percentage, good for
an .897 OPS.
To make room on the 25-man roster, the Cubs optioned infielder/outfielder
Arismendy Alcantara to Triple-A and to make room for Russell on the 40-man
roster, infielder Mike Olt was transferred to the 60-day disabled list.
Alcantara, 23, hit .077 with five runs scored and one RBI in 11 games for the
Cubs this season.
Olt, 26, is recovering from a hairline fracture in his right wrist.
