Scouting Report

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Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 45 | Overall: 45 

Ellwanger found success on the showcase circuit last summer without lighting up radar guns, operating around 90 mph while topping out at 93. His velocity stayed the same early in his senior year after he spent the winter playing basketball, then suddenly shot into the mid-90s a month into the season. He dominated in the Texas 5-A playoffs, capping his high school career with a 17-strikeout one-hitter in the semifinals as Magnolia West won its first-ever state title. 

On his best days this spring, Ellwanger has maintained a 93-97 mph fastball for seven innings, and his heater comes with riding action up in the strike zone. He also has worked at 89-93 mph and peaked at 95 at times, but he should have more velocity and hold it more consistently once his lean 6-foot-5 frame fills out. He can flash a plus low-80s slider with depth and also employs an average curveball in the upper 70s.

Ellwanger occasionally throws a mid-80s changeup with splitter action, though he struggles to land it for strikes. He's very athletic but needs to smooth out his delivery and learn to locate his pitches rather than just bullying hitters with them. He often has to dial back on his velocity to find the strike zone. A Dallas Baptist recruit, he turns 19 two months before the 2023 Draft and would be eligible again as a sophomore in 2025.

Video scouting report »

Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 55 | Slider: 45 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 40 | Overall: 45

Ellwanger's fastball shot into the mid-90s midway through his Texas high school senior season in 2023 and made him a top-three-rounds prospect, but his signability dropped him to the Nationals in the 19th round and sent him to Dallas Baptist. He touched 99 mph in his college debut last February, then missed most of March and April with a flexor strain in his pitching elbow before performing well in the Cape Cod League during the summer. He's one of the most intriguing sophomores in the 2025 college crop but has labored to throw strikes this spring.

When Ellwanger is dialed in, he can sit in the mid-90s with his fastball and blow it by batters in the zone with ample carry and armside run, though he has fought his control and command of the pitch throughout 2025. His low-80s curveball has good shape and has been his most reliable offering, while his mid-80s slider has been crushed so much that he has begun toying with a low-90s cutter. He barely uses his mid-80s changeup but it will dive at the plate at times.

After working just 30 2/3 innings between Dallas Baptist and the Cape in 2024, Ellwanger needs innings to hone his craft and prove he can do more than just overpower hitters with his heater. He's athletic but will have to polish and repeat his three-quarters delivery to develop average control and command. He still has projection remaining in his 6-foot-4 frame, so his arsenal could become even more powerful.

Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 55 | Slider: 45 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 40 | Overall: 45

Ellwanger's fastball shot into the mid 90s midway through his Texas high school senior season in 2023 and made him a top-three-rounds prospect, but his signability dropped him to the Nationals in the 19th round and sent him to Dallas Baptist. He touched 99 mph in his college debut last February, then missed most of March and April with a flexor strain in his pitching elbow before performing well in the Cape Cod League during the summer. He was considered to be one of the most intriguing sophomores in the 2025 college crop, even as he labored to throw strikes this spring. The Twins gambled on his arm strength in the third round of the Draft, going a bit over slot to sign him for $1 million.

When Ellwanger is dialed in, he can sit in the mid 90s with his fastball and blow it by batters in the zone with ample carry and armside run, though he fought control and command of the pitch throughout 2025. His low-80s curveball has good shape and was his most reliable offering, while his mid-80s slider was crushed so much that he began toying with a low-90s cutter. He barely uses his mid-80s changeup but it will dive at the plate at times.

After working just 94 innings between Dallas Baptist and the Cape over two years, Ellwanger needs innings to hone his craft and prove he can do more than just overpower hitters with his heater. He's athletic but will have to polish and repeat his three-quarters delivery to develop average control and command. He still has projection remaining in his 6-foot-4 frame, so his arsenal could become even more powerful.

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	08/04/2025	FCL Twins activated RHP James Ellwanger.
	07/23/2025	RHP James Ellwanger assigned to FCL Twins.
	07/23/2025	Minnesota Twins signed RHP James Ellwanger.
	06/03/2025	RHP James Ellwanger assigned to College Workout.
	01/23/2025	RHP James Ellwanger assigned to Dallas Baptist Patriots.
	04/03/2024	RHP James Ellwanger assigned to Cotuit Kettleers.
	07/14/2022	High School Workout activated RHP James Ellwanger.
	07/14/2022	RHP James Ellwanger assigned to High School Workout.