Uncommitted Spotlight: 2021 1B/RHP Josh Russo (Ward Mellville)

Physical: 6-foot-5, 270-pounds. Big physical frame; strong.
Run: 8.03 runner in the 60.
Hit: RHH. Shoulder width apart; slightly open; rocks back slowly for timing; small stride really incorporates lower half; athletic stance Has an upwards swing path to the ball; two-handed high finish; gets hands out to catch the ball out front.
Power: 96 MPH raw exit velocity. Strong pull side power: consistent contact with line drives up the middle.
Defense: Gets low with the ball and works ground up; active feet moving off the bag laterally; steady glove work.
Arm: High 3/4 arm slow; long arm swing. INF - 83 MPH.

Pitching Delivery: Builds momentum with leg lift just above the belt, keeps body in line into a repeatable, balanced follow through.
Arm Action: Long arm action dropping down out of the glove, gets up to high 3/4 slot.
FB: T86, 83-86 MPH. Heavy ball, located in the zone.
CB: 70-72 MPH. 12-6 shape, comes out from fastball release point with late break.
CH: 74 MPH. Keeps fastball arm speed with good speed differential.

A big physical frame at 6-foot-4, 275 pounds.  Ran 8.07 in the 60 yard dash. Offensively- Stands in the box in a tall stance. Takes a short stride towards the pitcher. Quick direct path to the baseball. Showed pull side pop during the hitting portion. Has slight lift at the point of contact. Quick out of the zone. Stays balanced throughout his swing. Top exit velocity was 97 MPH. Defensively- Stays under control when fielding the baseball. Fields the ball slightly upright. Shows above average funnel actions and throws from a high ¾ arm slot. Top throwing velocity was 81 MPH. Pitching- Displayed a repeatable delivery and low effort. FB has late life and some downward tilt. FB ranged from 80-82 and peaked at 82 MPH. Mixed in a CB with tight spin ranging from 68-70 MPH.

Full Framed 6-foot-4 280 pound 1B/RHP; thick lower half. Offensively- Sets up slightly open; quiet pre-pitch approach through his timing. Legs are involved with a bit of a down angle swing path and high finish; stays in the zone post contact with some pop to his pull side. Defensively- Agile for his frame; shows proper breakdown into the ball and makes the glove side turn and throw; plenty of target. Steady with the glove. Pitching- Simple setup on the mound with a side step and foot slide into his pivot position; mid chest knee drive with throwing arm staying long as glove arm stays close to the body. High 3/4 slot with some heaviness to his FB at 89-81 MPH, touching 82. Down action change at in the 70 MPH range. Cb had 12-to-6 shape with some spike action to it; needs more feel but action is there.

Russo stands at 6-foot-4, 275-pounds. Possesses a real strong and broad-shouldered frame. Ran the 60 yard dash in 8.25 seconds and recorded an exit velo of 92 MPH. Offensively, starts with his feet wide and slightly open. Small leg kick, stays on time. Hands stay locked in position during his load. Swing is compact yet powerful, no extra movements used. Clears his hips, creates power from his lower half. Clear pullside power. Took defensive reps in the infield and recorded a top positional velo of 78 MPH. Stays down and athletic when fielding the ball. Makes his transfer above midsection height, near his body. On the mound, starts tall and upright. Long arm action and a high 3/4 arm slot. Even shoulder tilt down the mound. Strong brave leg. In the stretch, starts closed off. FB had some arm side run at 79-80 MPH, touching 82 MPH. CB showed 11/5 shape, with sharp downer action at times and was 66-67 MPH. Changeup had fade at the bottom of the zone at 68-72 MPH. 

Physically mature frame at 6-foot-3, 260-pounds. Ran a 8.03 60 Yard Dash. Offensively - Hits from wide base with slight knee bend. Subtle forward stride. Showed tendency to shift weight forward too early. Flashed above average power and lift when he kept weight back. Strong hands at the point of contact. Exit Velocity was 85 MPH. Defensively - Provides a big target at 1B. Shows efficient footwork around the bag. Gets into a wide base when fielding and quickly exchanges the ball high. Uses short, compact arm action. Arm strength was 79 MPH. Pitching - Mechanically sound, repeatable delivery. Gets consistent drive off of back leg. Throws against a strong, firm front side. Gets full rotation around landing leg. Drives ball downhill with clean arm action and high 3/4 release. FB sat 76-77 MPH and topped at 78 MPH with heavy life. Also showed a CB at 64-65 MPH and a SL at 70-71 MPH. Overall, 2-way prospect with advanced physical strength and quality baseball actions.

Josh is a solid 6-foot-3 245 pound1B/OF that ran a 4.8 home-to-first. Offensively- He bats in a crouched stance, with his bat resting on his shoulder and his back elbow down. He uses a toe tap as a timing mechanism He produced an exit velocity of 83 MPH and that will increase as he learns to utilize his lower half and get more extension after contact. Defensively- Soft hands at first base, could be quicker in his release on throws across the diamond. Pitching-  Deliberate delivery from the windup, good balance with a firm back leg. Good drive from his back leg, delivers from an over-the-top slot and great follow through and extension. Sat 74-77 MPH with his fastball.