Selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 18th round of the 2003 Draft, A.J. Ellis had known only one organization since becoming a professional. That changed Aug. 25 when Ellis was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for Carlos Ruiz.
The swap of veteran backup catchers was shocking to both clubhouses, as Ruiz had spent his entire career with the Phillies since signing as an amateur free agent in 1998. Ellis returned to the Dodgers this season after agreeing to a one-year contract to avoid salary arbitration.
As much as Ellis was revered in the Dodgers clubhouse for his leadership, the Phillies were insistent on the 35-year-old being part of the trade for the same reason.
Once the starting catcher, his role diminished when the Dodgers acquired Yasmani Grandal from the San Diego Padres in a December 2014 trade.
Prior to being dealt to the Phillies, Ellis appeared in just 53 games and was batting .194/.285/.252 with five doubles, one home run and 13 RBI. The bulk of his playing time came in Clayton Kershaw starts, though the left-handed ace had been on the disabled list since July 1, retroactive to June 27.
Appearing in just 11 games with the Phillies, Ellis went 10-for-32 with three doubles, one home run and nine RBI. He ultimately drew a positive from joining a new organization for the first time.
2016 Highlight
The combination of Grandal being on the disabled list and Kershaw on the mound resulted in Ellis starting behind the plate against the Padres at Petco Park on Opening Day. He went 1-for-4 with three RBI and one walk in the Dodgers’ 15-0 rout.
Later that month, Ellis chipped in at Coors Field with a two-run homer in a 4-1 victory.
As for his first game with the Phillies, Ellis made an immediate impact, hitting a two-run double to give Philadelphia a lead over the New York Mets in a game they went on to win, 5-1.
2017 Outlook
Ellis is a free agent for the first time in his career, and conceivably should catch on with a club as a backup catcher on a one-year contract. It’s highly unlikely that will come with the Dodgers, though the Phillies may be an option.
