RiverHawks sell Ellison to Seattle Mariners
June 23, 2005 - Frontier League (FL)
Rockford RiverHawks News Release
ROCKFORD, Ill. - In two years, Derrick Ellison has gone from the Frontier League tryout camp to affiliated baseball.
Today, the Rockford RiverHawks announced they have sold Ellison's rights to the Seattle Mariners. Ellison, 26, was the RiverHawks' first-round pick in the 2004 Frontier League tryout camp draft.
"We're all proud of Derrick and his accomplishments with the RiverHawks," general manager Mike Babcock said. "This is just another example of independent baseball, and the Frontier League in particular, becoming a talent pool for major-league organizations."
Ellison said he will likely be assigned to Class A Wisconsin of the Midwest League.
Ellison, a fifth-year professional, wears three Frontier League championship rings - from 2001-02, when he was with the Richmond Roosters and 2004 with the RiverHawks. Ellison was 2-2 with two saves and a 5.40 ERA in 13 relief outings this season.
It's the eighth time the RiverHawks have sold a contract to a major-league organization since moving to Rockford in 2002. The others are: corner infielder Jayson Drobiak (Yankees, 2002), who hit 30 home runs to top Prince Fielder for the 2003 Midwest League home-run title; pitcher Justin Olson (Twins, 2003), a former University of Illinois player who now pitches for Minnesota's Class AA affiliate in New Britain; pitcher Justin Dowdy (Mariners, 2003; Angels, 2004), who was signed off the Rockford roster at the all-star break each of the last two seasons; Jason Shelley (Brewers, 2003), Baseball America magazine's 2003 Independent Leagues Player of the Year; Scott Sobkowiak (Reds, 2003); Rich Austin (Royals, 2004), the 2004 Frontier League Most Valuable Player.
The Mariners have been among the most progressive organizations in integrating former independent players into their farm systems. Seattle currently has two former indy players - pitcher George Sherrill and pitcher Bobby Madritsch - on their big-league roster.
The RiverHawks are the defending champions of the Frontier League, a 12-team independent professional baseball league in its 13th season. All games are broadcasted live on WRHL-FM, 102.3 - the Hub.
Frontier League Stories from June 23, 2005
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- Hawks get to Otters early - Evansville Otters
- RiverHawks' Throwback Jersey Night To Benefit MDA - Rockford RiverHawks
- RiverHawks sell Ellison to Seattle Mariners - Rockford RiverHawks
- ThunderBolts to donate ticket proceeds to injured football player - Windy City ThunderBolts
- Roosters Win Again In Final Inning - Richmond Roosters
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