JAMESTOWN, N.Y. – Former West Florida baseball player Brian Ellington (Gainesville, Fla.) will begin his professional career with the Jameston Jammers, the Miami Marlins’ Class A Short-Season affiliate in the New York-Penn League. Ellington was selected by the Marlins in the 16th round of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft on June 6, becoming the 18th player drafted in school history and school’s highest pick overall.
Ellington will join the Jammers pitching staff that includes fellow draft picks Drew Steckenrider (Tennessee), Ryan Newell (Shorter) and Nick Witgren (Purdue). Ellington will hope to repeat the success of former UWF pitcher Kevin Johnson, who reached Triple-A earlier this season in the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim organization. The Jammers will kick off the 2012 New York-Penn League season on Monday by taking on divisional rival Mahoning Valley with Helpi Reyes (Cotui, Dominican Republic) getting the nod for the season opener.
Ellington came to UWF for the 2012 season, hoping to bounce back after undergoing Tommy John surgery in high school and attending two different junior colleges. The right-hander had a solid year, going 6-3 with a 4.08 ERA while striking out 76 batters in 57.1 innings. Ellington earned All-GSC second team honors in 2012 and led the conference with 11.93 strikeouts per nine innings.
Six other Argonauts have already seen action for affiliated minor league teams this season. Johnson is currently pitching for the Arkansas Travelers, the Angels’ Double-A affiliate in the Texas League. The Pensacola, Fla. native made 20 relief appearances for the Salt Lake Bees at Triple-A before being sent down to Double-A.
Dustin Lawley and Greg Pron have been patrolling the outfield for the Singla-A Savannah Sand Gnats (New York Mets) in the South Atlantic League. Ben Hawkins has also spent the year in the South Atlantic League, putting up a 1.75 ERA in 12 appearances for the Hagerstown Suns (Washington Nationals). Pitcher John Church is looking to make his way up the Mets system, spending this year with Single-A St. Lucie in the Florida State League, while infielder Brandon Brewer has been steady for the Single-A Inland Empire 66ers (Angels) in the California League.
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