Duke Ellis

Duke Ellis
Duke Ellis
	Ellis with the Winston-Salem Dash in 2022
New York Yankees – No. 70
	Outfielder
	Born: January 16, 1998 (age 26); 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
Teams
	Chicago White Sox (2024); New York Yankees (2024–present);

Robert Duke Ellis (born January 16, 1998) is an American professional baseball outfielder for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Chicago White Sox.

Amateur career

Ellis graduated from Central Heights High School in Nacogdoches, Texas, in 2016.^[1] He enrolled at Panola College for his freshman year and began his college baseball career. After one year at Panola, the San Diego Padres selected Ellis in the 20th round, with the 588th overall selection, of the 2017 Major League Baseball draft, but did not sign. Ellis transferred to the University of Texas at Austin to play for the Texas Longhorns.^[2] In 2019, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Brewster Whitecaps and Cotuit Kettleers of the Cape Cod Baseball League.^[3]

Professional career

Chicago White Sox

Ellis was not selected in the 2020 MLB Draft and signed with the Chicago White Sox as an undrafted 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 the COVID-19 pandemic.^[5]

Ellis made his professional debut in 2021 with the High–A Winston-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–season cup of coffee with the Double–A Birmingham 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 the 40-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 the Chicago Cubs. In the ninth inning, he entered the game as a pinch runner, replacing Oscar Colás. On the next pitch, he earned his first career stolen base with a steal of second. However, he would end up being picked-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 was designated for assignment by the White Sox on June 16.^[12]

New York Mets

On June 21, 2024, Ellis was claimed off waivers by the New York Mets.^[13] He played in two games for the Double–A Binghamton Rumble Ponies prior to being designated for assignment on June 30.^[14]

Seattle Mariners

On July 4, 2024, Ellis was claimed off waivers by the Seattle Mariners.^[15] In 32 games for the Triple–A Tacoma 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]

New York Yankees

On August 26, 2024, Ellis was claimed off waivers by the New York Yankees.^[17] On September 4, 2024, against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field, he recorded his first major league hit, a single to left field.^[18]