March 25--The task of playing shortstop and batting third as a freshman for a Florida high school state title contender might have seemed overwhelming for Addison Russell.
But that was just one of several trials Russell has met successfully during his budding career.
"Most of my life, I try to challenge myself," said Russell, 22, who got married in January and is in the midst of raising a young family. "Especially with baseball, playing in an older bracket and being put on a pretty big stage at a younger age. Just learning how to cope with the pressures and expectations has been very good."
As the expectations have swelled for the Cubs, Russell has grown more confident and comfortable in his role.
"I can see it in his body language, which is good," veteran catcher Miguel Montero said. "He's still humble, but he knows he belongs here. He has grown a lot in a year."
Russell's patience and willingness to accept a different role as a rookie paid off at the start of an amazing playoff run when the Cubs moved him from second base to shortstop -- his natural position.
And, after a hamstring injury ended his 2015 season during the Cubs' playoff run, Russell reported this spring in prime shape after completing a program designed to strengthen more than just his legs.
"The last time I saw him," said Karl Jernigan, Russell's youth coach who now is a teacher and assistant varsity baseball coach at Russell's alma mater, Pace High School. "He filled out but thinned out. He got more athletic with his weight."
During their discussions during his rookie season, Russell told Jernigan he knew he would have to get stronger to maintain his effectiveness and durability for a major-league season. That was reinforced when Russell suffered a left hamstring strain in Game 3 of the National League Division Series and missed the rest of the playoffs.
"We took care of business this offseason," said Russell, who trained at the Andrews Institute for Orthopedics and Medicine in Florida. "Whether my hamstring was from fatigue or a freak accident, (I'm trying) to make sure that doesn't happen again.
"I grinded all year with these guys, and you have to put your best foot forward and accept (the injury) for what it was. ... But it's a blessing to be here."
It also was a blessing for the Cubs, especially after Russell displaced incumbent shortstop Starlin Castro on Aug. 7. Russell never complained about his temporary switch from shortstop to second 10 days before receiving his first major-league promotion on April 21. He just spent many early hours learning the nuances of second base with coach Gary Jones.
"I hoped that (the return to short) would come," Russell said. "I got that opportunity, and I'm looking forward (to fulfilling it)."
Russell's personal duties expanded in the past seven months as his son was born in August and he married Aiden's mother, Melisa Reidy, in January.
"(Melisa) takes a lot of pressure off me off the field," Russell said. "And she handles my son and daughter very well. I couldn't ask for much more.
"I knew I was going to start a family very soon, sooner than later. My parents grew up very young with children, and we basically got to grow up with them. Hopefully my kids will be able to grow up being with me in the majors, they'll be able to see different horizons and grow up with the Cubs fans and myself and Melisa."
With quick success, Russell understands that many people from his hometown look up to him. Jernigan stressed that Russell's local commitments, such as working out in the offseason with past and current Pace players, remain authentic.
"Addison remembers his parents driving him to tournaments," Jernigan said. "He knows where he comes from."
mgonzales@tribpub.com
