
There’s no bigger X-factor for Tennessee baseball entering the 2025 season then the injury status of junior right-handed pitcher AJ Russell.
Meeting with the media on Wednesday morning, Tennessee head coach Tony Vitello provided a positive injury update on Russell.
“I think he’s in line with what he should be,” Vitello said. “I made the comment a couple times, by the halfway point he’ll be pitching for us. All of us would like that to be sooner but there’s some steps along the way to knock out.”
Russell underwent Tommy John surgery on June 11 before the Tennessee baseball team departed for the College World Series. Fortunately, Russell’s UCL joint was not fully torn making his recovery time shorter than usual for pitchers who undergo the elbow surgery.
Tennessee and Russell were optimistic that he would be able to pitch during the 2025 season following the surgery and his development has buoyed those expectations.
Russell was Tennessee’s Opening Day starter a season ago and struck out 10 batters in an overpowering 4.1 innings against Texas Tech. But Russell exited his second start of the season with arm soreness and was never able to fully recovery.
The 6-foot-6 right-handed pitcher returned briefly at the start of SEC play and then again for two appearances in the SEC Tournament. But Russell’s velocity was down in Hoover and he felt soreness again afterward, leading him to shut things down.
More From RTI: Tennessee Baseball Scrimmage Notes And Observations From Jan. 28
In 44.2 career innings pitched, Russell’s posted a 2.22 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and has struck out 68 batters. He has as high a ceiling as any pitcher in Tennessee baseball’s staff. Some MLB Draft experts view Russell as a potential first round selection in the 2025 MLB Draft with his high-90s fastball with movement and elite sweeper.
Vitello has been impressed by Russell’s physical development and personal development over the course of his Tennessee career and particularly this offseason as he rehabs the elbow injury.
“(He) Went from a skinny kid and then growing into his body and different transformations, he looks so good physically right now,” Vitello said. “I think that’s a tribute to him taking care of himself and making his comeback or rehab go as smoothly as possible. And then, also, I see the personality more than I see some of the pitching stuff.
“With Nate (Snead) I mentioned early, AJ has really evolved into a kid that’s comfortable in his own skin, which was not the case when he first got here, willing to ask, say, do whatever and also willing to take on a leadership role which is really necessary.”
Tennessee baseball is 16 days away from opening up its 2025 season against Hofstra in a three game series at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.