Kyle D. Russell is a former American professional baseballoutfielder. Russell was originally drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 3rd round of the 2008 MLB Draft out of the University of Texas. He is also the all-time single season homerun leader, and all-time career homerun leader at the University of Texas. He was born in Houston, Texas and grew up in Tomball, Texas. He was a consensus All-American outfielder in 2007 as a sophomore at Texas, and was named to the NCAA all-decade team in 2010.
Amateur career
Russell attended the University of Texas, where he played for the Texas Longhorn baseball team. In 2006, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Cotuit Kettleers of the Cape Cod Baseball League. In 2007, he was named the Big 12Player of the Year, and was also a 1st team All-American. He led college baseball in home runs with 28 which was also a University of Texas record for most homeruns in a single season. In May 2008, Russell hit his 57th career homerun at Texas, which broke the previous record of 56. In February 2010, Russell was named to Baseball America's all-2000s team as the second outfielder.
Professional career
In 2008 with the Rookie-class Ogden Raptors, Russell hit.279 with 11 home runs and 46 RBI in 61 games and was named to the post-season Pioneer League all-star team. In 2009 with the Class-A Great Lakes Loons, he hit.272 with 26 HR and 102 RBI in 133 games and was named to both the mid-season and post-season Midwest League all-star teams as well as being selected as the League's Most Valuable Player. Russell began 2010 with the Class-A Inland Empire 66ers of San Bernardino and hit.354 with 16 HR and 53 RBI in 53 games before a quick promotion to the Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts. In 76 games with the Lookouts, he hit.245 with 10 home runs. In 2011, he was selected to the mid-season Southern League All-Star Game. He was in 120 games with the Lookouts, hitting.259 with 19 home runs and 69 RBI, earning him a late season promotion to the AAA Albuquerque Isotopes. Russell spent most of 2012 back with the Lookouts, appearing in 74 games with a.262 batting average, 11 homers and 44 RBI. He spent considerable time on the disabled list also with various ailments. In March, 2013 Russell was released by the Dodgers and signed to a minor league contract by the Atlanta Braves. The Braves released him and he signed with the Lancaster Barnstormers.
