Duke
Ellis

3/10/19: Athletic, lean and wiry strong at 6-foot-2, 175 pounds Ellis relies on speed to define his game. A plus runner (4.1 down the line) he has greatly improved his defense this season. Showed his defensive prowess, plus range and closing speed by running balls down in each gap, including a run saving catch in left-center field to end the sixth inning of Saturday's game. Overall, he displayed an instinctive and quick first step with consistently direct routes. His current arm strength is below average, yet his arm action is loose and he could possibly get to average in the future. In the batter's box he has slider bat speed with good pitch selection and discipline. His swing/miss tendencies are more the result of not getting to velocity than chasing pitches out of the zone. In 18 games this season he has 25 walks and 19 strikeouts and in this four-game series he was called out looking five times. He gets on plane to the pitch with some length to his swing. At times, he pulls off early and doesn't get fully extended. He generates most of his hard contact to the middle of the diamond and the opposite field. Overall, there are no questions about his defensive ability, it will all come down to the bat with the biggest question mark if his bat speed can improve. While he most likely won't ever develop into a power threat, Ellis has showed terrific on-base ability throughout his college career where he has reached at a .451 rate at Texas and .421 in the Cape last summer. However, he also carries a 21% career strikeout rate which doesn't combine well for a lackluster .349 SLG% while at Texas. (Seifert)

7/22/18: 6’1/175 pounds with a lean, athletic build. Above average runner who projects to add more size and strength to his frame. Quick first step in the outfield with closing speed on the ball. Ranges especially well to his glove side. Has the chance to stick in CF long-term. Loose and whippy arm action that could get to average strength in the future. Contact hitting approach at the plate. Understands the strike zone and shows pitch recognition skills. Biggest question mark is if his bat speed can improve. Swing and miss tendencies result more from not handling velocity than chasing pitches. Smooth swing to go with feel for the barrel. Generates most of his hard contact to the middle of the field and backside. On the bases, best time down the line was 4.08. Routinely between 4.20 and 4.35 with a turn on a single. Gets from 1st to 3rd and 2nd to home with ease. Hard-nosed, blue collar type of player. (Dan Jurik)