After being taken in the second round of the draft earlier this month, former Tennessee star right-hander AJ Russell agreed to a deal with the Texas Rangers that is significantly more than the slot value.
Jim Callis of MLB Pipeline claims that Russell’s contract is worth $2.6 million, which is significantly more than the $1,846,700 slot value for the 52nd overall pick.
After having elbow surgery, Russell rejoined the Volunteers towards the end of the previous season. It was anticipated that Texas would offer him an over-slot contract more suitable for a first-round pick, and that is precisely what occurred. Prior to the injury, Russell was regarded as a first-round talent, thus his contract with the Rangers was probably going to be significantly higher than what was expected of someone selected in his place.
At just 21 years old, Russell has already shown flashes of big potential, even in a college season that was unfortunately cut short due to injury. Despite the setback, he managed to put together a solid 2025 campaign on the mound, finishing with a 2-1 record and a 3.55 ERA. Even more impressive was his ability to rack up strikeouts—he fanned 36 batters in just 25.1 innings of work, showing the kind of stuff that scouts love to see.
Over the course of his entire college career, Russell consistently performed at a high level. He recorded a sharp 2.70 ERA across 42 appearances and struck out a total of 104 batters, proving that his talent wasn’t just a flash in the pan but rather something he sustained over time.
His performance didn’t go unnoticed leading up to the MLB Draft. Russell was ranked as the 70th-best prospect in the nation by MLB Pipeline, while Baseball America placed him even higher at No. 37 overall. These rankings reflect how highly regarded he is by professionals across the baseball world, and despite the injury, teams clearly saw the long-term value he could bring at the next level.