Eli Ellington, Harrisonburg’s strapping young lefthander, is the first “returner” on our starter’s list, as he appeared in nine games in the summer of 2018 as well.

The 6-foot-5 lefthander was very, very good for the Turks in 2019:

Harr ERA W L G GS IP H R ER BB K B/AVG WHIP BB/9 K/9
2018 4.76 1 1 8 1 17.0 13 11 9 12 22 0.206 1.471 6.4 11.6
Play 3.00 0 1 1 1 6.0 3 2 2 3 11 0.143 1.000 4.5 16.5
2019 2.31 1 1 12 6 35.0 28 17 9 19 54 0.217 1.343 4.9 13.9

(The playoffs line is from 2018)

Among pitchers considered for this list, Ellington finished fifth in the league in ERA, sixth in innings pitched, eighth in batting average against, and first in K/9 (striking out 54 batters in only 35 innings will do that).

He was Pitcher of the Day twice; June 18, against Winchester, and July 25, against Charlottesville. Against the Royals, he threw four shutout innings, allowing one hit, two walks, and striking out nine. Against the eventual champs, he threw six shutout innings, and allowed six hits, one hit, and struck out five. He did not receive a decision in either game.

Considered one of the top arms in the Valley, Ellington was chosen to appear in the Prospect Showcase, and was named second team All-Valley League after the season.

Oddly, he didn’t pitch at all for UNC-Charlotte the past two seasons. He transferred to Gulf Coast State for the 2019-2020 college season.

Ellington