The Yankees announced that they have claimed outfielder Duke Ellis off waivers from the Mariners. The latter club designated him for assignment in recent days. To open a 40-man spot, right-hander Ian Hamilton was transferred to the 60-day injured list.
Ellis, 26, is known for his standout speed. The White Sox briefly called him up earlier this year and he stole four bases in four tries. In 273 minor league games, he has stolen 134 bases while only being caught 18 times.
His work at the plate hasn’t as impressive. He has hit .238/.325/.339 in his minor league career, production which translates to an 85 wRC+, indicating he’s been 15% below league average. Still, the idea of having a speedy outfielder on the bench has been enough for Ellis to garner plenty of interest. After his brief look with the White Sox earlier this year, he has gone to the Mets, the Mariners and now the Yankees via waiver claims.
Finding a roster spot for such a specific skill set can be tricky but it’s possible that the Yankees will find room for Ellis as rosters expand next week, or perhaps in the playoffs where extra off-days lead to a club requiring fewer pitchers. A speedster such as Ellis could be a difference maker in a close game, particularly in the era of the free runner in extra innings. Ellis has a full slate of options and just a few days of service time.
His nickname should be The Duke of Nowhere.
Duke Ellis sounds like the name of someone who would be hitting 4th in the lineup for the Brooklyn Dodgers back in the day
I thought at first it sounded like a player. A pitcher the Yankees once had Who was pretty good, called Doc Ellis. Never heard of this guy
Cashman probably thought that’s who he was getting. LOL
But I thought Hamilton was coming back. I guess he was fried up extra crispy by Boonedoggle. Have to look at the basket and see who else is in there. Oh, Tonkin. Oh, is that Gil in there, too?
This is fun.
Weaver has been pretty good as of late, hopefully Boone uses him well for down the home stretch. They need Weaver for when Clay starts getting knocked around for a save situation…
Hamilton has already stated a rehab assignment. This move is simply to free up a roster spot in the interim. Shouldn’t you be more concerned with the Red Sox pitching staff anyway?
Red Sox fans wake up thinking first about the Yankees then the Red Sox.
You’re right. This is just a short-term transition move to open up a spot.
I’m not at all worried at all about the Red Sox pitching staff. They’re slowing sinking into the abyss. No drama, just abject failure. Take the good pieces into next year and see what happens.
This guy has crazy good speed. I could see him as a pinch runner/last guy off the bench especially with the slightly expanded roster in Sept.
Not quite sure why it’s Ellis when they already have Trent Grisham. Ian Hamilton is already on rehab assignment and should soon be activated. Guess they need a AAA filler for Dominguez when he gets called up.
Small typo in the article, Duke Ellis is 26, not 36.
Insignificant mistake. What’s ten years anyways.
Especially on a speed player!
What’s the the life expectancy of a Krane?
Duke Ellis, Jazz Chisolm, Maybe Myles Straw now?
There’s more work to be done: Charlie Blackmon, Ella De LA Cruz, Billie Hamilton, ?
Yanks have something like 19 players on rehab assignments or coming off injuries fighting for 2 extra spots coming open September 1.
LoL. These moves are ridiculous. The Yankees have more problems because they sign players with zero options left and refuse to release Grisham or DJL or someone else. I don’t follow many other teams. Do other teams have this problem? Should MLB an extra option?
Game Over World Series Over
Hate on him until he scores the winning run in a playoff game. Then love him to death.