John Ely (baseball)
Encyclopedia
John Daniel Ely is a right-handed starting pitcher
for the Los Angeles Dodgers
. He made his Major League Baseball
debut with Dodgers in April 2010.
and is the son of Laura and Jack Ely. He attended Homewood-Flossmoor High School
in Flossmoor, Illinois
, where he compiled a 27-5 career record, including one perfect game. As a senior, he was selected as a first-team all-state pitcher in Illinois.
. As a freshman in 2005, Ely led the Mid-American Conference
in strikeouts (108 in 103-1/3 innings) and complete games (six) and tied for the conference lead in wins with ten. He won seven straight decisions during the months of April and May 2005 and compiled a 2.87 earned run average
. He was also selected to the Collegiate Baseball/Louisville Slugger Freshman All-America Team.
As a sophomore in 2006, Ely was selected as a first-team All-Mid-American Conference player after striking out 80 batters in 75-2/3 innings. He struck out a career-high 14 batters against Birmingham-Southern on March 5, 2006.
Ely played for the Wareham Gatemen
of the Cape Cod Baseball League
during the summer of 2006.
in the third round of the 2007 MLB Draft. He began his professional career with the Great Falls White Sox
in the Pioneer League. He appeared in 13 games for Great Falls, compiling a 6-1 record and a 3.86 ERA, and striking out 56 batters in 56 innings pitched. In 2008, he played with the Winston-Salem Warthogs
in the Carolina League
, appearing in 27 games, compiling a 10-12 record, 4.71 ERA, and 134 strikeouts in 145-1/3 innings pitched.
In 2009 with the Birmingham Barons
of the Southern League
he was 14-2 with a 2.82 ERA in 27 starts with 125 strikeouts in 156-1/3 inning pitched.
Prior to the 2010 season, Ely was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers
(along with Jon Link
) for outfielder Juan Pierre
. He was assigned to the starting rotation for the AAA Albuquerque Isotopes
. He compiled a 2-1 record in three starts for the Isotopes, striking out 12 batters in 18 innings with a 3.00 ERA.
. He allowed five runs in six innings in his debut. In his second career start, on May 6, Ely allowed only four hits and one run in six and two-thirds innings against the Milwaukee Brewers
. After Ely's performance against the Brewers, the Chicago Sun-Times
wrote that Ely was "a genuine pride of the South Side" and "a human wrecking ball" for the Dodgers.
In his third start, on May 11, 2010, Ely was credited with his first win, allowing two runs, six hits and no walks and striking out six in six innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks
. Ely was credited with his second win a week later against the Houston Astros
. Ely threw 7 innings, allowing 5 hits and only 2 runs. He struck out 8 and walked no batters. Ely was the first Dodger to do so since Sandy Koufax
. After winning his third straight decision against the Detroit Tigers
on May 22, 2010, Dodgers Manager Joe Torre
said, "He's certainly, as Yogi
would say, making himself necessary."
After winning three of his first four decisions, Ely struggled the rest of the way losing nine of his last ten decisions. He finished the season with a record of 4-10 and an ERA of 5.49. He also developed command problems, walking 14 in his last three starts after walking just four in his first five starts.
He made one start for the Dodgers on April 10, 2011 against the San Diego Padres
, filling in for the injured Jon Garland
and appeared in four other games out of the bullpen. Most of his season was spent with the AAA Albuquerque Isotopes
, where he made 25 starts and finished 7-8 with a 5.99 ERA. His best start of the season was when he came within one out of throwing a no-hitter in a 7 inning game against the Iowa Cubs
on April 20. On November 18, 2011 he was outrighted to the minors and removed from the 40-man roster.
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
for the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
. He made his Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
debut with Dodgers in April 2010.
Early years
Ely was born in Harvey, IllinoisHarvey, Illinois
Harvey is a city in Cook County, Illinois, United States, near Chicago. The population was 30,000 at the 2000 census.Harvey is bordered by Dixmoor, Riverdale and Blue Island to the north, Posen and Markham to the west, South Holland, Phoenix, and Dolton to the east, and East Hazel Crest to the...
and is the son of Laura and Jack Ely. He attended Homewood-Flossmoor High School
Homewood-Flossmoor High School
Homewood-Flossmoor High School is a public high school in Flossmoor, Illinois, in the Chicago metropolitan area. The majority of HF students live in Flossmoor and nearby Homewood, but the school also serves areas of Olympia Fields, Chicago Heights, Glenwood, and Hazel Crest serving school...
in Flossmoor, Illinois
Flossmoor, Illinois
Flossmoor is a village in south suburban Cook County, Illinois, United States. The population was 9,464 at the 2010 census.The village is renowned for the quality and architectural variety of its housing stock, as well as its proximity to numerous country clubs. It prides itself on being a...
, where he compiled a 27-5 career record, including one perfect game. As a senior, he was selected as a first-team all-state pitcher in Illinois.
Miami University
Ely attended Miami UniversityMiami University
Miami University is a coeducational public research university located in Oxford, Ohio, United States. Founded in 1809, it is the 10th oldest public university in the United States and the second oldest university in Ohio, founded four years after Ohio University. In its 2012 edition, U.S...
. As a freshman in 2005, Ely led the Mid-American Conference
Mid-American Conference
The Mid-American Conference is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college athletic conference with a membership base in the Great Lakes region that stretches from Western New York to Illinois. Nine of the twelve full member schools are in Ohio and Michigan, with single members...
in strikeouts (108 in 103-1/3 innings) and complete games (six) and tied for the conference lead in wins with ten. He won seven straight decisions during the months of April and May 2005 and compiled a 2.87 earned run average
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
. He was also selected to the Collegiate Baseball/Louisville Slugger Freshman All-America Team.
As a sophomore in 2006, Ely was selected as a first-team All-Mid-American Conference player after striking out 80 batters in 75-2/3 innings. He struck out a career-high 14 batters against Birmingham-Southern on March 5, 2006.
Ely played for the Wareham Gatemen
Wareham Gatemen
The Wareham Gatemen are a collegiate summer baseball team based in Wareham, MA. The team is a member of the Cape Cod Baseball League and plays in the league's Western Division...
of the Cape Cod Baseball League
Cape Cod Baseball League
The Cape Cod Baseball League is a collegiate summer baseball league located on Cape Cod in the U.S. state of Massachusetts, in which many college baseball stars play during the summer. Many future Major League Baseball players have started there during their college years; MLB has provided...
during the summer of 2006.
Minor league career
Ely was drafted by the Chicago White SoxChicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
in the third round of the 2007 MLB Draft. He began his professional career with the Great Falls White Sox
Great Falls White Sox
The Great Falls Voyagers are a minor league baseball team based in Great Falls, Montana. This team has played continuously since 1969, and also played in the Pioneer League from 1948 to 1963....
in the Pioneer League. He appeared in 13 games for Great Falls, compiling a 6-1 record and a 3.86 ERA, and striking out 56 batters in 56 innings pitched. In 2008, he played with the Winston-Salem Warthogs
Winston-Salem Warthogs
The Winston-Salem Dash is a minor league baseball team in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA. They are a Class High-A team in the Carolina League and have been a farm team of the Chicago White Sox since 1997...
in the Carolina League
Carolina League
The Carolina League is a minor league baseball affiliation which operates in the South Atlantic Coast of the United States. Before 2002, it was classified as a "High A" league, indicating its status as a Class A league with the highest level of competition within that classification, and the fifth...
, appearing in 27 games, compiling a 10-12 record, 4.71 ERA, and 134 strikeouts in 145-1/3 innings pitched.
In 2009 with the Birmingham Barons
Birmingham Barons
The Birmingham Barons are a minor league baseball team based in Birmingham, Alabama. The team, which plays in the Southern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox major-league club....
of the Southern League
Southern League (baseball)
The Southern League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the Southern United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The original league was formed in , and shut down in . A new league, the Southern Association, was formed in , consisting of twelve teams...
he was 14-2 with a 2.82 ERA in 27 starts with 125 strikeouts in 156-1/3 inning pitched.
Prior to the 2010 season, Ely was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
(along with Jon Link
Jon Link
Jon Paul Link is a right-handed pitcher who is a free agent.-Professional career:Link was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the 26th round of the 2005 MLB Draft out of Bluefield College...
) for outfielder Juan Pierre
Juan Pierre
Juan D'Vaughn Pierre is an outfielder in Major League Baseball who is currently a free agent. He bats and throws left-handed....
. He was assigned to the starting rotation for the AAA Albuquerque Isotopes
Albuquerque Isotopes
The Albuquerque Isotopes are a minor league baseball team based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The team, which plays in the Pacific Coast League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers...
. He compiled a 2-1 record in three starts for the Isotopes, striking out 12 batters in 18 innings with a 3.00 ERA.
Los Angeles Dodgers
On April 28, 2010, Ely received his first Major League callup when he was added to the Dodgers roster and started for the team against the New York MetsNew York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
. He allowed five runs in six innings in his debut. In his second career start, on May 6, Ely allowed only four hits and one run in six and two-thirds innings against the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
. After Ely's performance against the Brewers, the Chicago Sun-Times
Chicago Sun-Times
The Chicago Sun-Times is an American daily newspaper published in Chicago, Illinois. It is the flagship paper of the Sun-Times Media Group.-History:The Chicago Sun-Times is the oldest continuously published daily newspaper in the city...
wrote that Ely was "a genuine pride of the South Side" and "a human wrecking ball" for the Dodgers.
In his third start, on May 11, 2010, Ely was credited with his first win, allowing two runs, six hits and no walks and striking out six in six innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
. Ely was credited with his second win a week later against the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
. Ely threw 7 innings, allowing 5 hits and only 2 runs. He struck out 8 and walked no batters. Ely was the first Dodger to do so since Sandy Koufax
Sandy Koufax
Sanford "Sandy" Koufax is a former left-handed baseball pitcher who played his entire 12-year Major League Baseball career for the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers...
. After winning his third straight decision against the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
on May 22, 2010, Dodgers Manager Joe Torre
Joe Torre
Joseph Paul Torre is a former American professional baseball player and manager who currently serves as Major League Baseball’s Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations. A nine-time All-Star, he played in Major League Baseball as a catcher, first baseman and a third baseman for the...
said, "He's certainly, as Yogi
Yogi Berra
Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra is a former American Major League Baseball catcher, outfielder, and manager. He played almost his entire 19-year baseball career for the New York Yankees...
would say, making himself necessary."
After winning three of his first four decisions, Ely struggled the rest of the way losing nine of his last ten decisions. He finished the season with a record of 4-10 and an ERA of 5.49. He also developed command problems, walking 14 in his last three starts after walking just four in his first five starts.
He made one start for the Dodgers on April 10, 2011 against the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
, filling in for the injured Jon Garland
Jon Garland
Jon Steven Garland is a right-handed starting pitcher, who is currently a free agent.-High school career:At John F...
and appeared in four other games out of the bullpen. Most of his season was spent with the AAA Albuquerque Isotopes
Albuquerque Isotopes
The Albuquerque Isotopes are a minor league baseball team based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The team, which plays in the Pacific Coast League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers...
, where he made 25 starts and finished 7-8 with a 5.99 ERA. His best start of the season was when he came within one out of throwing a no-hitter in a 7 inning game against the Iowa Cubs
Iowa Cubs
The Iowa Cubs are a Triple-A minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Chicago Cubs, that plays in the Pacific Coast League. Their home games are played in Des Moines, Iowa, at Principal Park.-Franchise history:...
on April 20. On November 18, 2011 he was outrighted to the minors and removed from the 40-man roster.
External links
- Meet New Dodger Pitcher John Ely at LAist