A few weeks ago, A.J. Russell was a sophomore right-handed pitcher on the University of Tennessee baseball team that won the College World Series.
Prior to that, during his early years of developing his baseball skills, Russell spent one season playing in the Arlington Little League organization for the A’s Majors team. That was back in the spring of 2016 on a team coached by Mike Goldsmith. He later played for an all-star team that season, managed by current league president and Wakefield High head baseball coach Adam Balutis.
Russell’s family lived in Arlington for 10 months that year when Russell attended sixth grade at Williamsburg Middle School. Russell then returned in 2017 for a few days to play for an Arlington Little League team that participated in a tournament in Cooperstown, N.Y.
“I remember Arlington being a lot of fun,” Russell said. “I credit coach Goldy [Goldsmith] for preparing me for the next level and what the real world would be like in baseball for tough coaches. He loved his players and treated us very well. But he would be tough, too, and put his foot down. That was my big takeaway from my season there.”
Balutis said he knew back then that Russell had a lot of potential.
Russell said he remembers playing against Jack O’Connor, an Arlington Little League standout at the time, now pitching at the University of Virginia.
“I couldn’t get a hit off of him,” Russell said.
Russell’s family moved four times since living in Arlington, eventually settled in Tennessee, where he attended and became a star pitcher at Franklin High School, and initially made the University of Tennessee baseball team as a walk-on.
“I was a little bit of a late bloomer as a pitcher,” Russell said.
The 6-foot-6 Russell did not play in this year’s World Series because he was recovering from a pitching-arm injury that limited his service all season and eventually required surgery. Prior to the injury, Russell appeared in six games for Tennessee during the 2024 campaign, making four starts. He had a 0-1 win-loss record, and struck out 21 batters in 14 1/3 innings, with eight walks.
He was in the dugout during World Series games.
“It was unreal to be a part of that experience,” Russell said. “Something like that is what you play for and want.”
In 2023, Russell had a 2-0 record, making 24 appearances, with one start, working 30 1/3 frames for Tennessee in his freshman campaign. He struck out 47, walked seven, allowed only nine hits and amassed a 0.89 earned run average. Hitters had just a .095 batting average against Russell.
Tennessee also made the World Series that season, and Russell pitched in two games in relief.
“It was a pure joy to pitch in the World Series,” said the hard-throwing Russell, with a fastball clocked in the mid 90-mph range.
At Franklin High, Russell struck out 94 in 49 1/3 innings his senior season, helping the team reach a state tournament.
At Tennessee, Russell has two years of eligibility remaining.
“With my injury, a lot is up in the air right now, but I hope to pitch at Tennessee next season,” Russell said. “Recovery from surgery will take about eight months.”
