Mississippi pitcher Chris Ellis works against Virginia in the first inning of an NCAA baseball College World Series game in Omaha, Neb., Sunday, June 15, 2014. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
Nati HarnikLAS VEGAS • The type of pitcher Chris Ellis could be for the Kansas City Royals in the coming season the Cardinals found in a low-risk pick from the Rangers' system without all the tricky Rule 5 requirements.
During the annual Rule 5 draft, which concludes the winter meetings, the Texas Rangers plucked Ellis from the Cardinals' Class AAA roster and promptly traded him to the Kansas City Royals.