James Clayton Russell (born January 8, 1986) is an American former professional baseball pitcher.

In his only season pitching for the Longhorns, Russell was named to the second team All-Big 12, while posting an 8–4 win–loss record and a 3.86 earned run average (ERA).

[5] Following the season, he joined the Mesa Solar Sox, a team in the Arizona Fall League, which largely features players considered top prospects.

[13] In 2010, Russell made the Cubs Opening Day roster after giving up no runs in 11 innings of work during spring training[14] and debuted on opening day, April 5, with two scoreless innings against the Atlanta Braves.

In 2010, Russell also helped extend Texas' streak of having a former player debut in the major leagues from eight consecutive seasons to nine.

[19] On July 31, 2014, Russell and Emilio Bonifacio were traded to the Atlanta Braves for Víctor Caratini.

[22] On April 8, 2015, Russell signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs.

On November 12, 2015, Russell signed a minor league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.

On July 7, 2017, Russell signed with the Leones de Yucatán of the Mexican Baseball League.

On January 24, 2018, Russell signed a minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers.

On May 29, 2018, Russell signed with the Sugar Land Skeeters of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.

On April 3, 2019, Russell signed with the Toros de Tijuana of the Mexican League.

[citation needed] Russell did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the Mexican League season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

[31] On March 23, 2021, Russell was traded to the Algodoneros de Unión Laguna of the Mexican League.