The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs are proud to announce that the contract of relief pitcher Derrick Ellison has been purchased by the New York Mets. Ellison is the seventh pitcher and ninth Blue Crab to be signed by a Major League organization this season. Ellison is also the second Blue Crab to have his contract purchased by the Mets this season, joining fellow reliever Jim Ed Warden, whose contract was purchased June 12.

Ellison made 13 appearances for the Blue Crabs as a reliever and closer after joining the team on July 9.  Ellison was lights out with the Blue Crabs, going 1-1 with four saves and a 1.42 ERA. In 12.2 innings pitched, Ellison had an impressive walks and hits per inning pitched ratio, allowing 10 hits and two walks, while striking out 15 batters.

This is Ellison’s ninth season in professional baseball. In 2008 he was with the Bridgeport Bluefish of the Atlantic League and was signed mid-season by the Milwaukee Brewers. At A-Advanced Brevard County in the Florida State League for Milwaukee, Ellison was 1-0 with one save and a 2.70 ERA in 20 innings pitched.  This year Ellison began the season at Double-A Huntsville in the Southern League, also with the Brewers, before joining the Blue Crabs. In 19 appearances as a reliever for Huntsville, Ellison was 2-2 with two saves and a 4.45 ERA. In his nine seasons, Ellison is 21-15 with 15 saves and a 3.34 ERA at all levels.  In 296 professional innings pitched, Ellison has 291 career strikeouts.

Ellison joins the impressive list of Blue Crabs players to head for Major League organizations this season. Pitchers Matt DeSalvo (Tampa Bay Rays), Jim Ed Warden (New York Mets), John Halama (Atlanta Braves), Kenny Baugh (Houston Astros), Matt Hensley (Toronto Blue Jays) and Mike O’Connor (Kansas City Royals) have each had their contracts purchased in 2009. First baseman Eric Crozier (Baltimore Orioles) and shortstop Travis Garcia (Seattle Mariners) are the two position players also