Why White Sox Reliever Fraser Ellard Walked Away At Just 28

In November, the White Sox made a surprising decision by placing left-handed reliever Fraser Ellard on the Voluntary Retired List. The 28-year-old had just completed his second season with the club, and while he was never viewed as a lockdown bullpen arm, he delivered solid results.

The White Sox drafted Ellard in the 8th round of the 2021 MLB Draft out of Liberty University. Across 43 appearances, Ellard posted a 3.95 ERA with a 27% strikeout rate and a 17% walk rate over 43 innings. During that span, he went 3–5, made three starts as an opener, and recorded one save.

But after being limited to just 17 innings this past season due to a strained right hamstring that sidelined him from early May through July, Ellard ultimately decided to call it quits. He wrapped up his final professional season with a 4.24 ERA, 22 strikeouts, and 19 walks across 17 major-league innings, while also posting a 6.84 ERA over 25 innings at Triple-A Charlotte.

At the time of his retirement, Ellard cited several outside business interests and plans to start a family with his wife. He also reportedly had discussed the decision with Chris Getz weeks before announcing his abrupt retirement. 

According to MLB.com, Getz told Ellard to wait a few weeks to sign the retirement papers officially, but had a feeling that his mind was already made up. 

However, Ellard has since elaborated on his decision in an interview with MLB.com’s Scott Merkin, saying that he is expecting his first child in February, which was the driving force behind the decision. 

Ellard joked that growing up, he was one of 12 children in a family of six boys and six girls so he knew a thing or two about family devotion. 

“I was so blessed to be able to get a chance to play with the White Sox. They gave me some really cool opportunities, which I really appreciated,” Ellard told MLB.com. “This year, as the season progressed, as I started looking at the priorities in my life and realizing the strain that professional baseball can take just on a family, I realized that I really want to be around for my kid.” 

Ellard reportedly began contemplating retirement after taking a mission trip to the Dominican Republic in October, followed by conversations with his wife. He also serves as the Chief Operating Officer for a marketing company called Dodeka that he co-founded with his brother, Weaver, which factored into the decision. 

With Ellard no longer in the picture, the White Sox lose one of the eight left-handed relievers who appeared for them last season. In response, the club has made several moves aimed at adding more reliable left-handed options to the bullpen, including the additions of Chris Murphy and Sean Newcomb.