Padres’ left-handed pitcher Ethan Elliott with a winning mentality
Credit: Tri-City Dust Devils
The San Diego Padres selected Ethan Elliott with a 10th-round pick as he comes with a history of success.
In the past few seasons, the San Diego Padres have promoted young players rather swiftly.
From Phil Maton to Fernando Tatis Jr., if a young player shows an innate ability to learn and excel, A.J. Preller and his staff will reward them. That is an excellent strategy to implement, as it is challenging to keep young players motivated. If you play hard and get better, you will be rewarded. The Padres are getting the most out of their young talent. Player development is massive in this day and age of the game.
In the 10th-round, this past June, the Padres selected All-American left-handed pitcher Ethan Elliott out of Lincoln Memorial University. With that selection, the southpaw became the highest LMU pitcher taken in the MLB Draft. Elliott is easily the best pitcher in the history of the small school. He ranks first in career ERA (3.01), wins (37), starts (54), innings pitched (358), and strikeouts (402).
Elliott is a four-time All-American and Region Pitcher of the Year. Though he did not come from a huge school, his accomplishment are certainly worth noting. On April 12 of this past season against Tusculum, the pitcher struck out 16 in a four-hit shutout. The hurler recorded a 12-2 record with a 2.23 ERA and a 0.869 WHIP in 14 starts during his senior year. His collegiate career ended with a 37-10 record or a .787 winning percentage. More often than not, he got the job done for his team. Ethan Elliott is a winner.
At 6-foot-3, and blessed with a little quirkiness to his pitching motion, the southpaw strikes out hitters with ease. His fastball generally sits 85-89 mph, but he tosses up an above-average changeup and uses it well. Elliott also pitches laterally as he gets plenty of swings and misses on pitches in the upper part of the zone. The crafty lefty knows how to set hitters up and will keep you guessing in the batter’s box.
Last season in Tri-City, the pitcher recorded a 1.77 ERA and a 0.869 WHIP in 35.2 innings pitched. He struck out 38 in that time while walking only four batters for the Dust Devils. The big lefty only allowed one earned run in his last 22 innings pitched, which was a very impressive way to end his whirlwind 2019 season.
With an ability to pound the zone with strikes, he should easily advance as a starting pitcher. The native of Knoxville, Tennessee, is a bit of a workhorse as he totaled over 128 innings last year between college and the Padres. His three seasons before that, the lefty made each start for LMU and was very useful. Elliott made at least 12 starts in each of his four years of college, totaling 358.1 innings in his NCAA career.
In time, the 293rd pick from last year’s draft will likely prove to be an excellent value selection. If the Padres can get more velocity from his motion and mechanics, this could be a fantastic pick for the Padres. Elliott sitting in the low to mid 90’s with his fastball, would equal a top talent in the organization. The 22-year-old possesses the frame to add the needed velocity, and it could come as he gains muscle and is groomed by the Padres’ training staff. There is no doubt that he will work hard and do what the front office asks of him. Keep an eye on Ethan Elliott as the 2020 season starts- he could surprise you.
James was born and raised in America’s Finest City. He is a passionate baseball fan with even more passion towards his hometown Padres. Editor-In-Chief of EastVillageTimes.com. Always striving to bring you the highest quality in San Diego Sports News. Original content, with original ideas, that’s our motto. Enjoy.