Chicago Cubs Promote Infield Prodigy Addison Russell

The Chicago Cubs are promoting infield prodigy Addison Russell to the majors, CBSSports.com and several other media outlets reported.

Russell, 21, will be the second top prospect to get called up in less than a week. The Cubs promoted third baseman Kris Bryant, 23, from Triple-A Iowa last Friday.

Russell, who can play shortstop and more recently, second base, will most likely debut as a second baseman. The Cubs currently have All-Star shortstop Starlin Castro and are struggling at second. Second baseman Arismendy Alcantara will be headed to Triple-A Iowa.

"Any time you ask a player to play another position, how willing is he to do it, and how comfortable is he," Manager Joe Maddon said in regards to asking players to learn other positions. "I've had some guys who played in the middle who hate the corners. They don't want to play there, so you make an adjustment at that point."

At Triple-A, Russell batted .314 with one homer and nine RBIs in 11 games. In 2014, Russell, who was mostly at Double-A, hit .295 with 13 homers.

The Cubs landed Russell on July 5 from the Oakland Athletics. In that big trade, the Cubs gave away Jeff Samardzika and Jason Hammel. Hammel is back with the Cubs.

Russell is expected to be in the lineup for Tuesday night's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.