Mark Ellis

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Oakland Athletics #6 prospect in 2002
  Oakland netted three players in a three-team deal with the Devil Rays and Royals in January 2001: Johnny Damon and Cory Lidle, who contributed to the club's wild-card run, and the lesser-known Ellis. Though he had played just seven games in Double-A, the A's sent him to Triple-A last season. He was impressive at Sacramento and again in the Arizona Fall League, where he hit .308 with nine steals. A consistent, effective middle infielder, Ellis is a heady player who rarely makes mistakes. Offensively, he uses the whole field, hits for average and draws his share of walks. Despite only average speed, he has the skill to steal bases and is an outstanding baserunner. The big question is whether he has the arm to play shortstop at the big league level. He helps his cause with a quick first step and release. He has ample arm to play second base, and that may be his position of the future if he's to become a regular. The presence of Miguel Tejada is another factor that will push Ellis toward second. He will compete with Esteban German, Randy Velarde and incumbent Frank Menechino at second this spring.
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  Ranked Kansas City Royals #9 prospect in 2001
  Having six picks in the first two rounds of the 1999 draft exhausted most of Kansas City's draft budget. As a result, Ellis had to accept a $1,000 bonus. He has proven to be a bargain, earning all-star honors in both of his seasons as a pro and leading the Carolina League in hits and on-base percentage (.404) in 2000. Ellis is the quintessential heady ballplayer, an overachiever in terms of his raw physical ability. He gets on base by making contact and drawing walks, and he can steal an occasional base more on instincts than on speed. He's a steady if unspectacular defender. Ellis' arm strength isn't quite up to par for shortstop, which means he may have to settle for being a second baseman or a utilityman. He's not blessed with a lot of power and might not be more than a No. 8 or 9 hitter if his production levels off. Ellis will have to keep proving himself, and in 2001 must do so in Double-A. Don't rule him out as a shortstop. Rey Sanchez' contract expires after the 2000 season, and the Royals don't have any other options

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Carolina League #19 prospect in 2000
  Machemer paid Ellis a huge compliment when he compared him to big league all-star Mike Bordick. "He's a winner," Machemer said. Ellis has earned all-star honors in each of his two professional seasons, hitting better than .300 with 20-plus steals and more walks than strikeouts at each stop. He was one of the CL’s most proficient defensive players as well. He wasn’t flashy but he caught everything that came his way. "He's a versatile athlete and he plays the game under control," Snitker said. "He makes all the plays at shortstop."

• December, 1999 Scouting Report
  Machemer paid Ellis a huge compliment when he compared him to big league all-star Mike Bordick. "He's a winner," Machemer said. Ellis has earned all-star honors in each of his two professional seasons, hitting better than .300 with 20-plus steals and more walks than strikeouts at each stop. He was one of the CL’s most proficient defensive players as well. He wasn’t flashy but he caught everything that came his way. "He's a versatile athlete and he plays the game under control," Snitker said. "He makes all the plays at shortstop."