James Ellwanger RHP Dallas Baptist Leads Patriots to Conference Victory with Stellar Performance
James Ellwanger is one of the most intriguing pitching prospects in college baseball. The Dallas Baptist University sophomore right-hander has shown tremendous development since his freshman campaign, when he posted a forgettable 6.11 ERA. Ellwanger’s electric arsenal and projectable 6’4″ frame have elevated him to day one draft potential for the 2025 MLB Draft.
What makes Ellwanger so compelling isn’t just his imposing physical presence on the mound, but his rapid ascension up draft boards. After limited innings between Dallas Baptist and Cape Cod in 2024, scouts have been impressed with his development. The Washington Nationals previously selected him in the 19th round of the 2023 MLB Draft, but Ellwanger chose to bet on himself and continue his collegiate development.
The Texas native brings both power and polish to the Patriots’ pitching staff. At 205 pounds with room to add strength, Ellwanger throws right and has the frame scouts covet. MLB.com had previously rated him as the No. 107 prospect entering the 2023 draft, but his stock has only risen since then. With continued development, Ellwanger has positioned himself to potentially become one of the first pitchers selected in July.
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James Ellwanger’s Background
James Ellwanger has risen from a small-town Texas upbringing to become one of the more intriguing pitching prospects in college baseball. His combination of size, velocity, and potential has put him firmly on MLB teams’ radar.
Early Years and Development
Born May 15, 2004, in Magnolia, Texas, Ellwanger developed his baseball skills in the competitive Texas youth baseball scene. Standing at an imposing 6-foot-5, his frame naturally suited him for pitching.
What jumps out most about Ellwanger’s development is his velocity progression. According to Perfect Game data, he added an impressive 14 MPH to his fastball throughout his amateur career. This remarkable improvement caught scouts’ attention during his high school years.
The Washington Nationals selected Ellwanger in the 19th round of the 2023 MLB Draft, but he opted for college baseball instead – a decision that appears to be paying dividends as his draft stock continues to rise.
Dallas Baptist University Career
Ellwanger’s time at Dallas Baptist University has been marked by tantalizing potential and ongoing development. The right-hander has shown flashes of dominance but still needs more innings to refine his approach.
The 2024 season represented a limited sample size, with Ellwanger logging just 30⅔ innings between Dallas Baptist and summer ball in the Cape Cod League. This relatively light workload remains one of the key concerns for MLB evaluators.
| James Ellwanger Profile | |
|---|---|
| Height/Weight | 6’5″, 205 lbs |
| Bats/Throws | R/R |
| Born | May 15, 2004 (Magnolia, TX) |
| Draft Status | 2025 Draft-Eligible Sophomore |
| Previous Draft | 19th Round (2023, Nationals) |
As a draft-eligible sophomore for 2025, Ellwanger has positioned himself as a significant pitching prospect. MLB.com lists him among their notable prospects for the 2025 draft, suggesting his ceiling remains high despite limited collegiate innings.
Scouting Report
James Ellwanger has established himself as one of the top draft-eligible sophomores for the 2025 MLB Draft. His power arm and developing secondary pitches have scouts taking notice despite limited collegiate experience.
Pitching Arsenal
Ellwanger’s repertoire starts with a dominant fastball graded at 65 on the 20-80 scouting scale. This heater has been his calling card since high school, sitting in the mid-90s with reported touches of 97-98 mph in short bursts.
His breaking balls show promise but need refinement. The slider grades at 55 and serves as his primary out pitch, featuring tight spin and late movement that generates swings and misses. His curveball (50 grade) provides a different look with more vertical break.
The changeup remains a work in progress at a 45 grade, though he’s shown increased willingness to use it against left-handed hitters. Command remains the biggest question mark in his profile, also grading at 45.
Physicality and Mechanics
Standing with a projectable frame, Ellwanger possesses the build scouts look for in a potential starter. His delivery shows athleticism but occasional inconsistency in his release point.
| Physical Profile | Details |
|---|---|
| Age | 19 (draft day 2025) |
| Throws | Right |
| Height | 6’3″ |
| Build | Projectable |
The right-hander generates excellent arm speed through a clean arm action. His delivery features a high three-quarters arm slot that creates good downhill plane on his fastball. He demonstrates solid balance through his motion but can rush his delivery when pressured.
Despite his youth, Ellwanger shows durability and maintains velocity deep into outings. His mechanics still need polish, particularly in maintaining consistent timing and arm slot across his pitch mix.
Game Performance Analysis
Ellwanger’s freshman campaign at Dallas Baptist was cut short by injury, limiting evaluation opportunities. When healthy, he flashed brilliance but struggled with consistency typical of young power pitchers.
His performance suggests a pitcher still translating raw stuff into game results. Control issues have led to elevated walk rates, though his strikeout numbers remain impressive thanks to his power arsenal.
Originally selected in the 19th round by the Washington Nationals in 2023, Ellwanger opted for college baseball at Dallas Baptist. This decision appears poised to pay dividends, as he’s now projected as a potential early-round selection in 2025.
The Patriots are counting on Ellwanger as a weekend starter this season. How he performs under this pressure will significantly impact his draft positioning come June 2025.
2025 MLB Draft Outlook
James Ellwanger has positioned himself as an intriguing pitching prospect for the 2025 MLB Draft. His combination of raw talent and development potential has scouts taking notice despite limited innings in his college career.
Draft Stock Evaluation
Ellwanger currently sits as the No. 107 prospect from his previous draft evaluation, though his stock could change significantly before the 2025 MLB Draft. The right-hander has been hampered by a lack of innings, throwing just 30 2/3 innings between Dallas Baptist and Cape Cod in 2024.
This limited sample size remains his biggest question mark. Scouts need to see more consistency and durability from the talented arm before they’re willing to invest an early-round pick.
MLB.com evaluators note that Ellwanger “needs innings to hone his craft” to prove he can do more than just flash potential. His spring 2025 performance at Dallas Baptist will be crucial for his draft positioning.
Potential Draft Teams
The Washington Nationals, who previously selected Ellwanger in the 19th round of the 2023 MLB Draft, remain a logical landing spot. Their familiarity with his talent could make them willing to take another chance on his development.
Teams picking in the middle rounds with strong pitcher development programs like the Cleveland Guardians, Tampa Bay Rays, and Los Angeles Dodgers could view Ellwanger as an attractive project arm.
His ceiling suggests second-day draft potential (rounds 3-10), but his floor remains volatile depending on his 2025 performance. Health and increased workload will be determining factors in how high he climbs draft boards.
Player Comparisons
Ellwanger profiles similarly to pitchers who exhibited flash potential in college before fully developing in professional systems. His repertoire and build draw comparisons to former college arms who blossomed with professional coaching.
James Ellwanger Profile:
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Height/Weight | 6’3″, 205 lbs |
| Throws | Right |
| Fastball | 93-96 mph |
| Secondary | Slider (plus potential), developing changeup |
| Command | Average, improving |
His path resembles pitchers like Logan Gilbert (Stetson) and Aaron Nola (LSU), who leveraged strong college programs to enhance their draft stock. While not currently projected at their level, Ellwanger’s ceiling remains tantalizing if he can stay healthy and accumulate meaningful innings at Dallas Baptist during the 2025 season.
Collegiate Statistics and Awards
James Ellwanger has established himself as a promising right-handed pitcher at Dallas Baptist University. His performance metrics show consistent development, particularly in strikeout rates and appearances against top-ranked competition.
Year-by-Year Performance
Ellwanger’s 2024 season with the Patriots showed both promise and areas for growth. He posted a 6.11 ERA across his appearances, striking out 23 batters in 17.2 innings pitched. That translates to an impressive 11.7 K/9 ratio, showcasing his ability to miss bats.
Against elite competition, Ellwanger demonstrated poise. He struck out three batters in 2.1 innings when facing 15th-ranked Alabama, showing he can perform against high-caliber opponents.
The 6’5″, 190-pound right-hander has maintained consistency in his batted ball profile. His 2024 and projected 2025 statistics both show a 12.3 rating in this category according to D1Baseball metrics.
| Year | Team | ERA | IP | K | BB | K/9 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Dallas Baptist | 6.11 | 17.2 | 23 | – | 11.7 |
| 2025 | Dallas Baptist | Projected | – | – | – | – |
Achievements and Recognitions
James Ellwanger’s path to Dallas Baptist followed an impressive high school career. Scouts noticed his velocity development, with his fastball velocity jumping +14 MPH throughout his career progression, according to Perfect Game scouting reports.
His summer league experience has enhanced his collegiate resume. In April 2024, Ellwanger was assigned to the Cotuit Kettleers, providing valuable competitive experience in the prestigious Cape Cod League. This league is where MLB scouts routinely evaluate top prospects.
MLB teams have shown interest in Ellwanger since his high school days. He participated in an MLB High School Workout in July 2022, indicating that professional organizations have been tracking his development for several years.
Draft analysts project Ellwanger as a potential mid-round selection in the upcoming MLB draft. Pro scouts find his imposing frame and strikeout ability particularly attractive.
Professional Projections
James Ellwanger has rapidly ascended draft boards with his impressive development at Dallas Baptist. His combination of present skills and future projection makes him one of the more intriguing arms in the 2025 class. This is particularly true for teams seeking high-ceiling pitching prospects with collegiate experience.
Market Value and Contract Expectations
Ellwanger’s stock has risen considerably since being selected in the 19th round by the Washington Nationals in the 2023 MLB Draft. As a draft-eligible sophomore, he represents a potentially valuable signing leverage situation. Most evaluators project him as a top-100 selection this time around, likely commanding a signing bonus in the $1-1.5 million range.
The 6-foot-4 right-hander has added muscle to his projectable frame while at DBU. This addresses one of the key concerns that dropped him in his first draft experience. His development track suggests a pitcher whose value ceiling continues to trend upward.
Ellwanger’s Physical Profile:
| Height | Weight | Throws | Age on Draft Day |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6’4″ | 215 lbs | Right | 21 |
Analyst Predictions and Team Fit
MLB.com rated Ellwanger as the No. 107 prospect entering his first draft eligibility, but his current trajectory points toward a significantly higher selection in 2025. Teams with developmental pitching pipelines like Cleveland, Tampa Bay, and Los Angeles (Dodgers) appear to be natural fits.
What makes Ellwanger particularly appealing is his remaining projection. Despite already showing impressive stuff, evaluators believe his arsenal could become “even more powerful” as he continues physical maturation. The combination of present velocity and untapped potential creates an enticing package.
His performance as part of the reloaded DBU pitching staff this spring will be critical in determining his final draft position. Teams that emphasize college performance over raw tools will particularly value his proven success against quality competition.
Player Development and Milestones
James Ellwanger’s journey at Dallas Baptist has been marked by both significant potential and developmental challenges. His path showcases the balance between raw talent and the refinement needed to become a complete pitcher ready for the next level.
Key Areas for Improvement
Ellwanger’s development path centers primarily around building innings and consistency. The hard-throwing righty logged just 30 2/3 innings between Dallas Baptist and Cape Cod in 2024, indicating a clear need for more mound time to develop his full arsenal.
Command remains his biggest hurdle. While his velocity sits in the mid-90s, his ability to locate consistently within the strike zone requires significant refinement.
His secondary pitches show promise but need more game repetitions. The breaking ball flashes plus potential when he stays on top of it, but consistency varies start to start.
DBU pitching coach Max Belyeu has focused on improving Ellwanger’s mechanics to help with command issues, particularly working on a more repeatable delivery from the stretch.
| Ellwanger Stats | 2024 Season |
|---|---|
| Innings Pitched | 30.2 |
| ERA | 4.11 |
| Strikeouts | 42 |
| Walks | 23 |
| Throws | Right |
Historical Player Development at Dallas Baptist
Dallas Baptist has established itself as a legitimate pitching factory in recent years. Several arms have been sent to professional baseball, including multiple MLB draft picks since 2020.
DBU’s reputation for developing high-velocity pitchers with professional-caliber breaking balls makes it an ideal landing spot for Ellwanger’s development.
The coaching staff emphasizes a progressive approach to building arm strength. They also implement advanced analytics to refine pitch design. This methodology has been particularly effective with power arms like Ellwanger.
Despite being ranked as the No. 2 right-handed pitcher in Texas coming out of high school, Ellwanger is still considered somewhat raw with tremendous upside. MLB scouts project him as a potential top-100 selection in the 2025 MLB Draft if his command improves.
