Addison Russell

Cubs shortstop Addison Russell delivered the game-changing home run that moved his team within one win of its first trip to the World Series since 1945. That two-run blast in the top of the 6th gave the Cubs the lead to stay in a game that was tight for most of the night.
There were other headliners as well: Jon Lester held the Dodgers to a run over seven effective innings; 3rd baseman Javier Baez made a terrific defensive play and added three hits, including a bases-loaded double that broke the game open in the 8th.
Let's circle back to Russell, a top propsect ever since he was drafted by the A's. And in one of Billy Beane's bold-but-ultimately unsuccessful trades, he was sent to the Cubs near the deadline in 2014 for pitching help in Jason Hammel and Jeff Samardzija. That was the Oakland club which, after having the best record in baseball at the All Star Break, faded during the stretch and wound up losing the Wild Card game to Kansas City.
The Cubs gave Russell more time in the minors and made him their everyday shortstop midway through the 2015 season. And while his batting average is still in the .230s, his power and defense have circled his name as a rising star. Thursday night's performance only adds to the reputation.
This image of Russell is from the July 1st Cubs/Mets game in New York.

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