Drew Ellis (baseball)

Drew Ellis
Ellis with the Phillies in 2023
Free agent
Third baseman
Born: (1995-12-01) December 1, 1995 (age 29)
Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
July 30, 2021, for the Arizona Diamondbacks
MLB statistics
(through 2023 season)
Batting average.157
Home runs3
Runs batted in10
Teams

Drew Mitchell Ellis (born December 1, 1995) is an American professional baseball third baseman who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Seattle Mariners and Philadelphia Phillies.

Early life and amateur career

Ellis is from Jeffersonville, Indiana.[1] Ellis’ father, Derek played college baseball at Indiana State University. Ellis played in the 2008 Little League World Series. He attended Jeffersonville High School, where he played baseball and basketball and the University of Louisville, where he played college baseball for the Louisville Cardinals. With Louisville, he was the backup third baseman behind Blake Tiberi, but was moved into left field to get into the lineup. As a sophomore, Ellis returned to playing as a third baseman.[2]

Professional career

Arizona Diamondbacks

The Arizona Diamondbacks selected Ellis in the second round, with the 44th overall selection, of the 2017 MLB draft.[3][4] Ellis signed with the Diamondbacks, receiving a $1,560,100 signing bonus.[5] He made his professional debut and spent the 2017 season with the Hillsboro Hops of the Low-A Northwest League[6] where he posted a .227 batting average with eight home runs and 23 runs batted in (RBIs).[7] Ellis spent the 2018 season with the Visalia Rawhide of the High-A California League,[8] slashing .246/.331/.429 with 15 home runs and 71 RBIs in 120 games.[9]

Ellis spent the 2019 season with the Jackson Generals of the Double-A Southern League.[10] Over 118 games, he hit .234/.344/.406 with 14 home runs and 63 RBIs. Ellis did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[11] He opened the 2021 season with the Triple-A Reno Aces.[12]

On July 30, 2021, Arizona selected his contract and promoted him to the active roster.[13] He made his MLB debut that night.[14] He made 28 appearances for the big league club, hitting .130/.277/.203 with one home run and five RBIs.

In 2022, Ellis got into six games for the Diamondbacks, going 2-for-13 with a walk in 14 plate appearances. The Diamondbacks designated Ellis for assignment on June 12, 2022.[15]

Seattle Mariners

On June 16, 2022, the Seattle Mariners claimed Ellis off of waivers.[16] Ellis made one major league appearance for Seattle, going 1-for-3 with a strikeout. The bulk of his stint with the club was spent with the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers, where he played in 70 games and hit .231/.346/.488 with 15 home runs, 39 RBIs, and four stolen bases. On November 3, 2022, he was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to Triple-A.[17] He was invited to spring training with Seattle in 2023, but was released prior to the start of the season on March 17, 2023.[18]

Philadelphia Phillies

On April 16, 2023, Ellis signed a minor league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies organization.[19] Ellis played in 11 games for the Double-A Reading Fightin Phils before being elevated to the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs. In 11 games with Lehigh, Ellis batted .279/.354/.651 with 5 home runs and 19 RBI.[20] On June 1, Ellis' contract was selected to the major league roster.[21] On June 4, Ellis hit his first two home runs for the Phillies in an 11–3 victory over the Washington Nationals.[22] In 12 games for the Phillies, he went 5–for–23 (.217) with 6 walks and 4 RBI. On September 22, Ellis was designated for assignment following the promotion of Orion Kerkering.[23] He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Lehigh Valley on September 24.[24] Ellis elected free agency on October 13.[25]

Charleston Dirty Birds

On April 23, 2024, Ellis signed with the Charleston Dirty Birds of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.[26] In 10 games for the Dirty Birds, Ellis batted .231/.348/.436 with one home run and six RBI.

Los Angeles Angels

On May 6, 2024, Ellis signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Angels organization.[27] In 32 games for the Triple–A Salt Lake Bees, he batted .243/.373/.414 with five home runs and 13 RBI. Ellis was released by the Angels organization on July 29.[28]

References

  1. ^ Hale, Jon (June 10, 2017). "Jeffersonville's Drew Ellis puts stamp on emotional super regional for Louisville baseball". USA Today. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  2. ^ Jones, Steve (March 9, 2017). "Louisville baseball | Jeffersonville product Drew Ellis matures into power threat". Courier Journal. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  3. ^ "Ellis calls draft a 'surreal experience' | Sports". News and Tribune. June 13, 2017. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  4. ^ "MLB Draft 2017 | Louisville 3B Drew Ellis picked in 2nd round by Diamondbacks". Courier Journal. June 12, 2017. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  5. ^ "Ellis signs with Diamondbacks | Sports". newsandtribune.com. June 28, 2017. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  6. ^ "Former U of L slugger Drew Ellis is blasting minor-league fans with home runs". Usatoday.com. July 25, 2017. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  7. ^ "Drew Ellis Stats, Highlights, Bio - MiLB.com Stats - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". Retrieved December 10, 2017.
  8. ^ Yang, Vongni. "Joe Mather brings experience, knowledge as new Visalia Rawhide manager". Visalia Times-Delta.
  9. ^ "Drew Ellis Stats, Highlights, Bio - MiLB.com Stats - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". MiLB.com. Retrieved December 28, 2018.
  10. ^ McDermott, Michael (April 4, 2019). "2019 Arizona Diamondbacks Farm System Preview". AZ Snake Pit.
  11. ^ "2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled". mlb.com. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  12. ^ Cook, Josh (July 2021). "PRO BASEBALL: Ellis is coming up Aces". News and Tribune.
  13. ^ COOK, JOSH (July 30, 2021). "MLB: Drew Ellis called up by Diamondbacks". News and Tribune.
  14. ^ "MLB: Ellis singles, scores in debut". August 2, 2021.
  15. ^ "D-backs reinstate RHP Luke Weaver from 60-day IL; Drew Ellis DFA'd". June 12, 2022.
  16. ^ "Mariners Claim INF Drew Ellis off Waivers from Arizona". June 16, 2022.
  17. ^ "Mariners' Drew Ellis: Loses spot on 40-man roster". cbssports.com. November 3, 2022. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
  18. ^ "Drew Ellis: Released by SEA". cbssports.com. March 18, 2023. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
  19. ^ "Transactions".
  20. ^ "Phillies' Drew Ellis: Added to roster". cbssports.com. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
  21. ^ "Phillies put Alec Bohm on injured list; infielder Drew Ellis called up from Lehigh Valley". June 2023.
  22. ^ "Schwarber, Ellis homer twice as Phillies beat Nationals". cbsnews.com. June 4, 2023. Retrieved September 22, 2023.
  23. ^ "Phillies' Drew Ellis: Designated for assignment". cbssports.com. September 22, 2023. Retrieved September 22, 2023.
  24. ^ "Phillies' Drew Ellis: Stays in Philadelphia organization". cbssports.com. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
  25. ^ "Transactions".
  26. ^ "Charleston Dirty Birds Set Opening Day Roster". oursportscentral.com. April 25, 2024. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
  27. ^ "Transactions". baseball.pointstreak.com. Retrieved May 9, 2024.
  28. ^ "Transactions".