Introduction
Christopher John Ellis (born September 22, 1992) is an American professional baseball pitcher in the St. Louis Cardinals organization. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Kansas City Royals.
Career
Amateur
Ellis was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 50th round of the 2011 Major League Baseball Draft out of Spain Park High School in Hoover, Alabama. He did not sign with the Dodgers and attended the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) to play college baseball. In 2013, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Cotuit Kettleers of the Cape Cod Baseball League.
Los Angeles Angels
Ellis was selected by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the third round of the 2014 MLB Draft. He signed and made his professional debut with the Orem Owlz where he pitched to a 6.89 earned run average (ERA) in 15 ⁄3 innings pitched. Ellis started 2015 with the Inland Empire 66ers, and after going 4–5 with a 3.88 ERA in 11 games, was promoted to the Arkansas Travelers, where he finished the season, posting a 7–4 win-loss record and 3.92 ERA in 15 games.
Atlanta Braves
On November 12, 2015, the Angels traded Ellis, Sean Newcomb, Erick Aybar and cash to the Atlanta Braves for Andrelton Simmons and José Briceño. Ellis was assigned to the Mississippi Braves to start the 2016 season, and promoted to the Gwinnett Braves in June. Ellis ended 2016 with a combined 12–9 record and 4.49 ERA in 28 total games started between both clubs. After the 2016 season, the Braves assigned Ellis to the Salt River Rafters of the Arizona Fall League.
St. Louis Cardinals
On December 1, 2016, the Braves traded Ellis, John Gant, and Luke Dykstra to the St. Louis Cardinals for Jaime García. Ellis spent 2017 with both the Springfield Cardinals and Memphis Redbirds, posting a combined 7–12 record with a 5.29 ERA in 30 games (22 starts) between both teams. He returned to Springfield to begin the 2018 season and was promoted to Memphis during the season. In 31 games (21 starts) between the two clubs, Ellis compiled a 10–4 record with a 3.93 ERA.
Kansas City Royals
The Texas Rangers selected Ellis in the 2018 Rule 5 draft and traded him to the Kansas City Royals. Ellis made the Royals' Opening Day roster. He made his major league debut on March 31, 2019 versus the Chicago White Sox, recording one scoreless inning of relief. On April 3, 2019, Ellis was designated for assignment.
Second Stint with Cardinals
The Royals returned Ellis to the Cardinals on April 9.