Dylan
Russo

11.04.18
Russo has started to add strength to an already large frame at 6-foot-3, 220-pounds, and it has certainly helped his velocity climb a tick this fall. Working from a high slot, the right-handers fastball has good down angle at 83-85 mph. He can locate his curveball with downer 12/6 shape at 70-71 mph. Originally, we first saw Russo as a hitter, and that tool is still one of our favorites as he is a projectable corner bat with rhythm, feel for the barrel, and low effort power. Relaxed setup and load allows him to repeat his hack and give him lots of room for error. Good barrel lag through the zone with the ability to hit spin. He posted an exit velocity of 87 mph, but there is easy juice during BP with a short, loose stroke. What stands out overall is that Russo does everything in a relaxed manner with poise, he is never in a hurry, so he rerely gets sped up by the game.

7.23.18
Russo has a strong, durable frame at 6-foot-3, 220-pounds. The right-handed hitter has natural feel to hit with loose hands, rhythm, and high end barrel awareness. Smooth hack that starts from a tall, open stance before he pushes back, cocks the barrel toward the pitcher as he engages his hands, then lands square as he transfers his weight with relative ease. Quick-strong hands whip the barrel through the zone on a clean path after the barrel gets slotted early in the zone, dropping the head, and working on a slightly uphill path, creating lift and leverage with a loose finish and a top exit velocity of 89 mph. To put it simply, it’s quality aggression with intent to do damage, the swing just works. Hammered balls all around the yard during BP, then scorched a single to centerfield during the game. At first base, Russo does a nice job of playing low with his hands out front and a wide base. Soft hands on picks during the infield workout, and the footwork around the bag is solid. A two-way player and right-handed pitcher, Russo works from an over the top slot with a long, clean arm swing, drop-and-drive delivery, and athletic finish down the mound. Good angle on his fastball that topped out at 85 mph, sitting mostly 80-83. His changeup was his best off speed pitch, as he threw it with tremendous feel and fastball arm speed at 73-74 at the bottom of the zone. His curveball had still developing 12/6 shape, but flashed depth several times at 65-68 mph. All in all, it was a quality outing for the junior, as he was able to throw all three pitches for strikes and stay off the barrel.

07.22.17
6-foot-3, 220-pounds, thick frame. Russo has a seasoned approach with projectable power from the right side of the plate. Relaxed setup with smooth rhythm, easy load with a leg kick, lands balanced, explosive weight transfer, short path, good barrel awareness with high finish and lift. He registered an exit velocity of 89 mph with wood. During the game he had a crisp single up the middle on a fastball, and a single down the left field line as he kept his hands back on a curveball, even though he was out on his front foot. At first base, Russo has deliberate footwork with average hands. Good footwork around the bag, throws from short arm stroke at 77 mph across the infield.

The right-hander works from a high slot with a short stroke, smooth rhythm in his drop-and-drive delivery, lands open with effort and slight head tilt. Throws three pitches for a strike with his FB/CB/CH. Commanded his fastball at 74-76 mph. Curveball had good downward 12/6 action at 65-68 mph. Slows his arm down on a straight changeup at 66-67 mph.