| Duke Ellis | |
|---|---|
.png) Ellis with theWinston-Salem Dash in 2022 | |
| New York Yankees | |
| Outfielder | |
| Born: (1998-01-16)January 16, 1998 (age 27) Nacogdoches, Texas, U.S. | |
Bats: Left Throws: Left | |
| MLB debut | |
| June 4, 2024, for the Chicago White Sox | |
| MLB statistics (through 2024 season) | |
| Batting average | .200 |
| Home runs | 0 |
| Runs batted in | 0 |
| Stolen bases | 5 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Robert Duke Ellis (born January 16, 1998) is an American professionalbaseballoutfielder in theNew York Yankees organization. He has previously played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theChicago White Sox.
Ellis graduated fromCentral Heights High School inNacogdoches, Texas, in 2016.[1] He enrolled atPanola College for his freshman year and began hiscollege baseball career. After one year at Panola, theSan Diego Padres selected Ellis in the 20th round, with the 588th overall selection, of the2017 Major League Baseball draft, but did not sign. Ellis transferred to theUniversity of Texas at Austin to play for theTexas Longhorns.[2] In 2019, he playedcollegiate summer baseball with theBrewster Whitecaps andCotuit Kettleers of theCape Cod Baseball League.[3]
Ellis was not selected in the2020 MLB Draft and signed with theChicago White Sox as anundrafted free agent on June 19, 2020.[4] He did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of theCOVID-19 pandemic.[5]
Ellis made his professional debut in 2021 with the High–AWinston-Salem Dash, playing in 73 games and hitting .200/.274/.277 with four home runs, 18 RBI, and 23 stolen bases.[6] He spent the 2022 season back with Winston-Salem, and received a late–seasoncup of coffee with the Double–ABirmingham Barons. In 100 games for the Dash, Ellis hit .273/.360/.390 with career–highs in home runs (7), RBI (27), and stolen bases (50).[7]
Ellis played in only 16 games for Double–A Birmingham in 2023 due to injury troubles, and hit .157 with four RBI.[8] He began the 2024 campaign with Birmingham, batting .258/.341/.308 with one home run, 12 RBI, and 34 stolen bases across 39 appearances.[9]
On June 4, 2024, Ellis was selected to the40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time.[10] He made his Major League debut that day, in a game against theChicago Cubs. In the ninth inning, he entered the game as apinch runner, replacingOscar Colás. On the next pitch, he earned his first careerstolen base with a steal of second. However, he would end up beingpicked-off at second base by the Cubs’ pitcher,Héctor Neris.[11] In eight games for Chicago, he went 0–for–4 with four stolen bases. Ellis wasdesignated for assignment by the White Sox on June 16.[12]
On June 21, 2024, Ellis was claimed off waivers by theNew York Mets.[13] He played in two games for the Double–ABinghamton Rumble Ponies prior to being designated for assignment on June 30.[14]
On July 4, 2024, Ellis was claimed off waivers by theSeattle Mariners.[15] In 32 games for the Triple–ATacoma Rainiers, he hit .212/.291/.385 with four home runs, 20 RBI, and 17 stolen bases. Ellis was designated for assignment on August 23.[16]
On August 26, 2024, Ellis was claimed off waivers by theNew York Yankees.[17] On September 4, against theTexas Rangers atGlobe Life Field, he recorded his first major league hit, a single to left field.[18] In 3 total games for the Yankees, he went 1–for–1 with a stolen base. On November 4, Ellis was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to the Triple–AScranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders.[19]
Ellis' fatherRobert, pitched inMajor League Baseball from 1996 to 2003.[20]