FRANKLIN – Three Williamson County products were selected last week in the 2025 MLB Draft.

Franklin High School graduate AJ Russell and Brentwood alum Aaron Walton were both selected in the second round, while Brentwood Academy product Tayler Montiel was picked up in the 12th round.

AJ Russell, Texas Rangers

The Franklin graduate and Tennessee pitcher was drafted in the second round, No. 52 overall. The former Admiral standout went 4-2 with a 2.70 ERA in three seasons with the Volunteers, striking out 104 in 70 innings over 42 appearances. Russell had 11 starts and was one of five Tennessee players taken in the first two rounds. The 6-foot-6 local product was 2-1 this season with 3.55 ERA to go with 36 Ks in 25 1/3 innings of work after missing most of the 2024 season due to injury. He was used cautiously and pitched in 12 games this season with six starts, being limited early because of his recovery from Tommy John surgery in June of 2024. Carrying the nickname “The Mountain” at Franklin, Russell was dominant as a junior a senior with a 9-1 record and 161 strikeouts.

Aaron Walton, Cleveland Guardians

The Brentwood graduate and Arizona outfielder was drafted in the second round, No. 66 overall. Walton spent two seasons at Samford before transferring to Arizona where he batted .320 over 65 games with 71 runs scored, 22 doubles, 14 home runs and 49 RBIs. His 71 runs, 22 doubles and 19 stolen based led Arizona, which won 44 games this year. Playing center field, Walton posted a .986 fielding percentage on 148 total chances for the Wildcats. He was a two-sport star off Murray Lane earning all-state honors in baseball and football. He scored 16 touchdowns to lead the Bruins in the fall as a senior and batted .419 with 19 RBIs in the spring.

Tayler Montiel, Arizona Diamondbacks

The Brentwood Academy graduate and Tulane pitcher was drafted in the 12th round and No. 363 overall. Montiel turned heads this season after producing a 3.53 ERA, striking out 54 with just 14 walks over 43 1/3 innings. He went 5-2 and earned two saves, limiting opposing batters to .187 hitting. Montiel began his college career at Mississippi State before transferring to Tulane where he struggled in his first two seasons. He’s collected 70 Ks in 68 innings over 51 games in his three seasons in New Orleans. Montiel played football and baseball at Brentwood Academy. He went 7-2 as a senior with a 2.59 ERA to lead the Eagles.