Success in the postseason often hinges on attention to detail. A recent example is the Little League World Series, where Taiwan’s mishandling of a bunt led to Florida clinching the championship. While the New York Yankees aren’t drawing inspiration from a group of 12-year-olds, they are certainly focusing on the finer points as they gear up for the playoffs, most notably by acquiring outfielder Duke Ellis.
Ellis, recently designated for assignment by the Seattle Mariners, is renowned for one key asset: speed. This attribute might turn out to be a crucial element in the Yankees’ pursuit of their 28th World Series title.
Ellis marks his fourth team this season, having previously been with the Chicago White Sox, the New York Mets, and the Mariners. While his performance at the plate has been modest—he went hitless in four MLB at-bats and has a minor league slash line of .238/.325/.339—his speed has ensured his continued presence in the league.
Despite not finding success with the bat, Ellis made a mark with his legs, swiping four bases in as many attempts during his brief stint with the White Sox. Over 273 minor league games, he’s stolen 134 bases out of 152 attempts and was rarely caught stealing during his three seasons in NCAA baseball.
The Yankees’ decision to sign Ellis seems strategic. His elite speed could serve as a game-changing tool in their quest for postseason success. As a pinch runner, Ellis offers Yankees manager Aaron Boone the opportunity to convert late-inning walks and singles into doubles and triples, and he could be particularly effective as a ghost runner in extra-inning situations.
While Ellis’s signing isn’t making major headlines at the moment, there’s a possibility that he could play a pivotal role in the Yankees’ postseason run.
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