The Texas Rangers selected Tennessee pitcher AJ Russell with the 11th pick in the second round (No. 55 overall) of the 2025 MLB Draft on Sunday night.
Russell is the fifth Vol off the board, joining LHP Liam Doyle, infielder Gavin Kilen, 1B/3B Andrew Fischer and RHP Marcus Phillips.
A right-handed pitcher, Russell spent an adversity filled three seasons at Tennessee. Russell impressed in a limited role out of the bullpen in his freshman season before beginning the 2024 season as Tennessee’s opening day starter.
Russell was dominant early in the season before an arm injury sidelined him for the majority of the season. He briefly returned in the SEC Tournament before eventually having Tommy John surgery to repair a partial tear of his UCL. Russell’s UCL only being partially torn allowed him to return and pitch in his junior season.
More From RTI: How AJ Russell Overcame Year Of Injury Confusion To Pitch For Tennessee Baseball In 2025
The 6-foot-6, 223-pound right hander pitched in 12 games and started six in his junior season, posting a 3.55 ERA in 25.1 innings pitched. Russell added 36 strikeouts and 11 walks. Russell finished his college career with a 4-2 record, 2.70 ERA and 1.00 WHIP while striking out 104 batters in 70 innings pitched
The Franklin, Tennessee native’s best outings of his junior season came in the Vols’ SEC Tournament win over Alabama and in their series finale loss against Vanderbilt. Russell became one of Tennessee’s most trusted pitchers once fully ramped up. He allowed just five earned runs in 15 innings pitched over a six appearance to end his season.
Russell joins his former Tennessee teammates Dylan Dreiling and Cal Stark in the Rangers system. Texas drafted Dreiling in the second round of the 2024 draft before signing Stark to an undrafted free agent deal.
