WASHINGTON – Georgetown University baseball alum David Ellingson (B'17) is preparing for his fourth professional season in the Seattle Mariners organization. He left the Hilltop to join the professional ranks following his junior year in 2016, but worked to complete his finance degree in December 2017.
Ellingson was drafted by Seattle in the 34th round of the 2016 MLB Draft after a strong junior season as GU's closer. He tied the Georgetown record with 11 saves and finished with a 3.29 ERA in 2016, a year after recording nine saves and a record 0.75 ERA. In just two seasons in the Hoya bullpen, Ellingson ranks second in program history with 20 career saves
In 2018, Ellingson returned to Seattle's short-season affiliate, Everett, which is where he spent the 2017 campaign. In seven appearances out of the bullpen, he was 2-0 with one save, a 2.19 ERA and 13 strikeouts in 12.1 innings. Ellingson earned a promotion to Advanced Class A Modesto where he went 1-0 with a 4.76 ERA and 21 strikeouts in 12 appearances, covering 17.0 innings. Overall, he went 3-0 with a 3.68 ERA and 34 strikeouts in 29.1 innings.
Recently, GUHoyas.com was able to catch up with Ellingson for a Q&A as he prepares for his third spring training in 2019.
After a year in which you struggled a bit, what was your mindset heading into spring training in 2018?
My mindset going into spring training was to compete and let the work I did in the offseason show. Every day I focused on competing for the job and didn't let the game get the best of me even when I was struggling.
How was your mentality waiting an extra two months out of spring training and then go back to Everett to start the year?
The mentality was to use the time to get better and work on my craft. It is never fun not to receive a promotion to the next level, but it is something you have to deal with at times in this profession.
After a couple of tough outings, you were almost unhittable for five-straight outings. What clicked for you on the mound?
In those outings I was able to control both my fastball and slider low in the zone, not giving hitters much to hit hard. Also, a big part of the game for me is not to overthink and once I found my groove there wasn't much to think about but to compete.
You were promoted to High-A Modesto. How was that transition?
The transition was easy overall. I had to make a few adjustments because the hitters were more selective and had an overall better approach than the guys I was facing at Everett. I could not get away with hanging breakers on the first pitch (which I found out in my first outing as I let up a well-hit double, to say the least). After a few outings, I felt more comfortable and settled into my role in Modesto.
You were used as a closer for most of your time at Georgetown, and the early part of you pro career. Did you feel a difference when you weren't coming on in a save opportunity?
Not really. My mindset is always to get outs when I go out there, regardless of the inning. The only real adjustment for me was to shorten up my warm up routine so I could be ready to go at any inning.
You had a couple of opportunities to play against your Georgetown teammate Simon Mathews. What was it like to see him in the setting of professional baseball?
It was nice to see Simon out there. It honestly wasn't much different then college. He brings a lot of energy on the mound and he wasn't short of that when I was watching him. He is a fun guy to watch, and it was nice catching up with him.
You came back and completed your Georgetown degree last winter. What did it mean to you to come back and finish that?
It meant a lot for me to come back and finish my degree. I know it just gets tougher and tougher each year you wait to go back, and luckily I was able to go back when I had friends and my girlfriend still there. It was also nice to have guys to throw with and train with on the Georgetown team. Coach Wilk was really helpful in letting me use the facilities and throw with his catchers to get ready for spring training.
