:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/55233863/DCKzgl_XcAImq_b.0.jpg)
Drew Ellis, the hero of Louisville’s super regional sweep of Kentucky, became the 44th overall pick of the 2017 MLB Draft when he was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks Monday night.
Louisville's Drew Ellis (@drewellis10) hears his named called with family and teammates by his side. #L1C4 #MLBDraft pic.twitter.com/aGyp8JCrHO
— Louisville Baseball (@UofLBaseball) June 13, 2017
Ellis became the fifth-highest draft pick in Louisville baseball history, and joined teammate Brendan McKay — who became the highest pick in program history when he was taken fourth overall — as Cardinals who heard their name called on the draft’s first night.
As he heads to Omaha for the College World Series, Ellis is Louisville’s leader in batting average (.367), home runs (20), RBI (61), hits (81), runs (55) and slugging percentage (.729). He busted out of a postseason slump in a big way against Kentucky last weekend, belting a three-run home run in Friday’s 6-2 win and then blasting two more moon shots in Saturday afternoon’s series clincher.
Congrats to Drew on an unreal season and the beginning of what should be a long and successful pro career.