Liberty alums Will Wagner, Fraser Ellard make Big League Opening Day rosters

Liberty alums Will Wagner and Fraser Ellard have made the opening day roster for the Toronto Blue Jays and Chicago White Sox, respectively.

Wagner was traded to the Blue Jays last summer and quickly got called up to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time. He made his MLB debut on August 12, recording three hits and a run batted in for a 4-2 win. Just a couple weeks later, Wagner hit his first major league home run. On August 31, Wagner had a five-hit game against the Minnesota twins, becoming the first five-hit game recorded in club history by a rookie. In 24 games during his rookie campaign, he slashed .305/.337/.451 with two home runs and 11 RBI. On September 17, Wagner was placed on the 60-day injured list, prematurely ending his season.

Wagner was selected during the 18th round of the 2021 MLB Draft by the Houston Astros. He was a two-time first-team All-ASUN performer while at Liberty. He hit .333 with a team leading 52 RBI and 32 runs scored in 2021. In 53 games, all starts, he had 70 hits, including 16 doubles, three triples, and seven home runs. He posted a .399 on base percentage and a .538 slugging percentage.

After being drafted by the White Sox in the 8th round of the 2021 MLB draft, Ellard spent the first few years of his professional career bouncing around the minor leagues. On July 30, 2024, Ellard was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time. In 25 appearances last season for the White Sox, Ellard had a 2-3 record with 1 save with a 3.75 ERA. In 24 innings pitched, he struck out 26.

Ellard played one season at Liberty in 2021, helping the Flames post a 41-16 record and receive an at-large selection to the NCAA Regional. He was named to the 2021 ASUN All-Conference first team after posting a 0-1 record with 7 sevens and a 3.65 ERA in 26 appearances.

Wagner and Ellard are the seventh and eighth former Liberty Flame to reach the majors. The duo joins former Flames Ryan Cordell (2018-20), Ian Parmley (2017), Doug Brady (1995), Randy Tomlin (1986-88), Sid Bream (1979-81), and Lee Guetterman (1978-81) in reaching the majors.