The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Baseball receives two more commitments for 2006-07 season
11.28.2005 | Baseball
AUSTIN, Texas -- After signing 12 high school student-athletes for the 2006-07 season, The University of Texas baseball program received national letters of intent from Navarro College pitchers James Russell and Jesse Todd during the fall early signing period.
While Russell (Colleyville, Texas) is a left-hander who was drafted in each of the last two Major League Baseball First-Year Player Drafts by Seattle, Todd (Kilgore, Texas) is a power right-hander who is considered by many as one of the top closers in the junior college ranks. Notably, both pitchers assisted the Bulldogs in posting a 35-24 overall record in 2005 while boasting a pitching staff that ranked among the top five Texas/New Mexico Junior College teams for innings pitched, strikeouts and fewest walks allowed.
With the addition of these transfer hurlers, Texas head coach Augie Garrido along with associate head coach/recruiting coordinator Tommy Harmon and assistant coach Tom Holliday have inked a total of 14 players during the 2005 early signing period. Included in the class are now eight pitchers, of which many also man a field position, and six position players. A listing of UT's entire 2006-07 signing class is below.
James Russell (LHP, 6-4, 195)
- Drafted in the 17th Round of the 2005 MLB First-Year Player Draft by Seattle (No. 503 overall). Also selected by the Mariners in 2004 during the 37th round (No. 1,113 overall).
- Helped Navarro's 2005 pitching staff rank first in innings pitched (45.2), fourth in strikeouts (370) and fifth in fewest walks allowed (126) among Texas/New Mexico Junior College teams while aiding the Bulldogs in posting a 35-24 overall record to place third in the Eastern Division of Region 14.
- Son of former Major Leaguer Jeff Russell.
Jesse Todd (RHP, 6-0, 210)
- Arguably one of the top closers in junior college baseball.
- Posted five saves as a freshman for the Bulldogs and also struck out seven over six innings of work as a starter during Navarro's final 2005 playoff game against Angelina Junior College.
- Member of the Texas/New Mexico Junior College All-Star Team in 2005.
- Helped Navarro's 2005 pitching staff rank first in innings pitched (45.2), fourth in strikeouts (370) and fifth in fewest walks allowed (126) among Texas/New Mexico Junior College teams while aiding the Bulldogs in posting a 35-24 overall record to place third in the Eastern Division of Region 14.
- An All-state pitcher as a senior at Kilgore High School.
