Russini, Former Catcher, Inks Free Agent Deal With Pirates

Garrett Russini goes ProFormer Stetson catcher/outfielder Garrett Russini will not have to travel very far to begin his career as a professional baseball player.

Russini, a Sarasota native and product of Braden River High, signed a free agent contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates and begins his career playing for the Gulf Coast League Pirates in Bradenton, Fla. Russini and his new team opened play on Monday with a road game against the Blue Jays.

Russini joins former Stetson teammate Patrick Mazeika as the most recent Hatters to have signed professional contracts. Mazeika was selected in the eighth round of the 2015 MLB Draft by the New York Mets and signed his agreement with the team late last week. Mazeika was assigned to the Kingsport Mets in the Appalachian League and will begin play tomorrow when the Mets host the Johnson City Cardinals.

Russini completed his Stetson career with a .270 batting average in 194 games over four seasons. He piled up 10 home runs to go with 45 doubles and drove in 99 runs in his career.

In Hatters coach Pete Dunn’s 36 seasons at Stetson the Hatters have sent 77 players on to play professional baseball. Of that group, nine have gone on to play in the Major Leagues.

GoHatters.com