Ellis mass produced his major-league debut around 2002, batting .272 in 98 games. He followed by hitting .248 a as a consequence year, however missed a entire 2004 season due to the torn labrum within his correct shoulder ensuant from either a collision by having shortstop Bobby Crosby in a spring step by step instruction game against a Chicago Cubs. Inside 2005, he return to a Athletics & got the successful year, leading the team around batting average (.316), on base percentage (.384), and slugging percentage (.477) as a team's regular 2nd baseman.

The ninth-around draft pick per Kansas City Royals in the 1999 amateur draft, Ellis attended the University of Florida. He was acquired along by owning outfielder Johnny Damon and pitcher Cory Lidle in a 3-team trade for outfielder Ben Grieve, shortstop Angel Berroa, and catcher A. J. Hinch.

Ellis has the career batting norm of .257.