Infielder Drew Ellis, who last played in the major leagues for the Philadelphia Phillies in 2023, announced on Instagram on May 26 that he is retiring from baseball immediately.
Ellis, 30, appeared in 47 games across three seasons (2021–23) with the Phillies, Seattle Mariners, and Arizona Diamondbacks. He ends his career with a .157 batting average, three home runs, and 10 RBIs.
Originally from Kentucky, Ellis represented his region in the 2008 Little League World Series. He wrapped up his playing career in 2025 with the Sacramento River Cats, the San Francisco Giants’ Triple-A affiliate.
“What an unbelievable journey it’s been the last 20 years,” Ellis wrote on Instagram. “Playing a game for a living and traveling the country to places I could only ever dream of going. I’ve created so many memories and friendships during my playing career and I will be forever grateful for the opportunities I’ve been given. It’s mind blowing that a little ball with some seams on it can take you to places you’d never thought you’d go.”
Ellis was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the second round (44th overall) of the 2017 MLB Draft out of Louisville. He spent the next five years in Arizona’s farm system, reaching the majors in July 2021 and appearing in 28 games for the Dbacks.
Less than a year later, Arizona designated Ellis for assignment, and he was claimed off waivers by the Mariners. He played all but one of his next 71 games at Triple-A, going 1-for-3 in his lone game with Seattle.
After spending the 2023 season in the Phillies’ system mostly at Triple-A Ellis played for the Angels’ Double-A and Triple-A affiliates in 2024.
In 52 games last year with Sacramento, Ellis slashed .222/.333/.437.
“I think every player thinks they could play forever,” Ellis wrote in his Instagram post. “You made it possible for a kid from Jeff to play at the highest level, with and against the best players in the world. It was an experience like no other. I will forever be grateful for you.”
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