Sept. 24: Ellis has cleared waivers and been outrighted to Triple-A, as per the Phillies’ official transactions page. There isn’t yet any word on whether or not he has accepted the assignment or elected free agency.
Sept. 22: The Phillies announced that they have selected the contract of right-hander Orion Kerkering, a move that was reported on earlier today. In corresponding moves, right-hander Yunior Marté was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley while infielder Drew Ellis was designated for assignment.
Ellis, 27, signed a minor league deal with the Phils in April and was added to the 40-man roster in June. He has since served as an optionable depth piece, playing 12 games in the majors. He drew walks in six of his 29 plate appearances, leading to a strong .217/.379/.478 batting line in that small sample. In 70 Triple-A games this year, he’s slashed .224/.336/.433 for a wRC+ of 92.
The Phils will now place Ellis on waivers in the coming days. He’s hit just .157/295/.269 in his major league career, in just 129 plate appearances. He’s had much stronger results in Triple-A, having hit .247/.364/.500 in 1,124 plate appearances at that level. He’s played each of the non-shortstop infield positions, meaning he could appeal to a club in search of some extra depth on the dirt. He wouldn’t be postseason eligible if claimed now but can be retained for six years beyond the current season. He’s in his final option year and will be out of options next season. In the event he clears waivers, he would have the right to reject an outright assignment and elect free agency, by virtue of having a previous career outright.
Pretty surprised Castro is still there, but I suppose he fills an emergency position of need.
Castro can be optioned next year, while Ellis can’t, hence the decision.
Excellent call. TY.
No, Castro should be out of options as well.
He’s not. A player loses an option year if they spend 20 days in the minors in one season. Castro spent about 13 down so far this season. If they send him down he must spend at least 10 days. So any option down at this point would put him over the 20 day limit.
Duh, my bad. Forgot he wasn’t down long enough.
Hopefully Castro has an “injury” and then the Phils can replace him with Weston Wilson for the playoff roster? Just sayin….
No injury needed. Wilson spent time on the roster before Sept. 1. Phillies can take him if they want, over Castro. I suspect they will.
This dude Ellis looks like he’s whooped some @$$ in his day
I don’t understand why Marte wasn’t straight up banished to the shadow realm UGH
Thank you for your service Drew.
As one of many who were “retired by the game” after college, stick with it as long as you can!
Man had a 2hr game in MLB. Props….
Drew is 27. He might retool his swing and become Ben Zobrist 2.0
Stranger things have happened.
Castro will be a DFA once they extend a QO to Rhys and the jabroney accepts. Wish they would just cut the clown loose and let him sign with the A’s so he gets traded to a NL contender 2024 and he makes them a clown show too
Such intelligent insights, lol.
Did Hoskins steal your puppy?
@Churchcakes,
Now you have me pondering how upset I’d be if someone stole my puppy.
The AAA season is for the Phillies minor league affiliate. Ellis is a free agent this offseason. It doesn’t really make a difference if he accepts the assignment or not
I think if he accepts the outright assignment he gets another week of minor league pay.
Very impressed with Orion Kerkering’s MLB debut yesterday. A scoreless frame with 2 Ks. That slider looks nasty.
I love my Phillies, but I just don’t get the bench bats beyond Sosa. Castro couldn’t cut it with the Pirates and he’s on our team? Have no use for Cave. A mini-Schwarber without the walks. Don’t have any faith in Pache’s bat. Pinch runner and defensive replacement at best. Those two assets should be easily replaced.
Surely Dombro could have done a better job with the subs. Personally, I’d like to see Scott Kingery on the team over Castro or Pache.
I wonder where kingery winds up next year? My guess is he gets a minor league invite and makes some club out of ST and sticks.