Well thus far he’s a winner.
A native of Illinois, John Ely was drafted by the Chicago White Sox out of the University of Miami (Ohio).
Ely started his professional career in 2007 at Great Falls of the Pioneer League, part of the Chicago White Sox farm system. The 21-year-old was impressive in 56 innings, going 6-1 while walking just six batters.
Following the 2007 season, Ely was promoted to Single-A at Winston-Salem. His tour through the Single-A system was the roughest for Ely, finishing 10-12 with a 4.71 ERA. Despite the high ERA and adverse record, scouts saw something in him and promoted him to Double-A Birmingham.
In the middle of his best professional season at Double-A, Ely was dealt to the Los Angeles Dodgers along with Jon Link. The move sent Juan Pierre to the Chicago White Sox, a team desperate for a solid, every day outfielder at the top of the lineup.
Had the White Sox known they would find themselves ranking 22nd in Major League Baseball in ERA after 30 games, they may have been more hesitant to deal the young righty.
Ely has provided a much needed boost in the Dodgers’ rotation and the team record shows that. Following a very rough ML debut against the Mets, in which Ely surrendered five runs in six innings, he has made two starts. In those two starts, Ely has allowed just three runs in 12.2 innings while collecting his first major league win.
With Vicente Padilla likely out until mid-June at the earliest, the Dodgers now have two available spots in their rotation. Expect Ely to be around for a while, and Dodgers fans should be just fine with that.
After three starts, Ely is 1-1 with a 3.86 ERA; not dominating statistics but remove his first start and he is a welcomed break from Charlie Haeger and Padilla’s 2010 campaign.
Ely’s next start is scheduled for May 17th against the Houston Astros at Dodger Stadium.
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