Rome native and Cartersville High product Russ Mitchell, a minor leaguer in the L.A. Dodgers’ farm system, was the recipient of the Arizona Fall League’s Dernell Stenson Sportsmanship Award.

The award is presented annually to the Fall League’s player who best exemplifies unselfishness, hard work, and leadership. The manager and coaching staff from each of the six Fall League teams nominate one player for the award.

“(Mitchell) exemplifies the meaning of the Dernell Stenson Award,” Fall League Director Steve Cobb told MiLB.com. “Like Dernell Stenson, Russ is one of the top performers in the Fall League and a clubhouse leader. He was an obvious catalyst in the Javelinas’ division championship and berth in our 18th championship game. Baseball is well served when its next generation of players includes the likes of Russ Mitchell.”

Mitchell, who was the Dodgers’ 15th-round selection (451th overall) in the 2003 draft, was among the league’s offensive leaders from start to finish. He tied for the league lead in doubles (10) and extra-base hits (16), tied for third in runs batted in (25), tied for fourth in home runs (5) and total bases (57), and tied for fifth in runs (20).

Also a Fall Leaguer in 2008, Mitchell completed a two-year 17-game on-base streak on October 27, 2009 when he hit .383 with 15 runs, 7 doubles, 1 triple, 5 home runs, 21 RBI, and an on-base percentage of .486.

He hit. 319 with a .606 slugging percentage in 2009. The 24-year-old has spent seven seasons in the minor league. He hit .241 for Double-A Chattanooga in the Southern League in 2009.