Former Phillies, D-Backs, Mariners Infielder Retires Immediately at 30
Drew Ellis’ name was introduced to the baseball world on Aug. 16, 2008. Pitching for the Kentucky team in the Little League World Series, Ellis threw a no-hitter against a team from Maryland. Even more remarkably, Ellis’ team lost 3-2.
It was an improbable start to an even less likely journey from Little League to MLB. Ellis, who played parts of three seasons for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Seattle Mariners and Philadelphia Phillies, announced his retirement in a post to his Instagram account.
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"What an unbelievable journey it's been the last 20 years," Ellis wrote. "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, who spent last season in the San Francisco Giants‘ organization, did not sign a new contract for the 2026 season after becoming a free agent.
Born in Louisville, Kentucky, Ellis played Little League ball in Jeffersonville, Indiana, before playing collegiately at Louisville. In his second season with the Cardinals, Ellis was an All-America and All-ACC selection after hitting 20 home runs (10th in the nation). He was chosen in the second round (44th overall) of the 2017 MLB Draft by the Diamondbacks.
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After spending the next four years in the Arizona system, Ellis reached the majors in July 2021 and appeared in 28 games.
Less than a year later, Ellis was designated for assignment by Arizona and claimed off waivers by Seattle in the middle of the 2022 season. He played 70 of his next 71 games at Triple-A, going 1 for 3 in one MLB game with the Mariners.
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Ellis’ last cup of coffee came with the Phillies in 2023. He played the last of his 47 MLB games with the Phillies, finishing his career with a .157 batting average, three home runs and 10 RBIs.
“I think every player thinks they could play forever,” Ellis wrote in his Instagram post. “(Baseball) 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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This story was originally published May 29, 2026 at 3:17 PM.