The crack of a bat that marks a monumental home run, the snap of leather from a spectacular diving catch and a stadium full of thousands of cheering fans is the dream of every kid who picks up the sport of baseball. But even while chasing the dream and honing the skills to one day perform at the highest levels of Major League Baseball, many kids never get the chance to play beyond high school or college.
For Payton Eeles and Tanner Gillis, however, two young players and roommates at NCAA Division II school Cedarville University, that dream has led to monumental steps in the minor league system — with Eeles poised to potentially reach “The Show” this season.
Eeles, a second baseman and shortstop, is beginning the 2025 season with the Minnesota Twins’ Triple-A affiliate, the St. Paul Saints, after playing two years of independent baseball to keep his dream alive. Gillis, a third baseman turned pitcher, was likewise given one last chance to follow the sport after college by playing in the MLB Draft League, where he was selected by the Milwaukee Brewers. Today, he plays for the Brewers’ High Single-A affiliate, the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers.
For both players, their arrival in Minor League Baseball was a hard-fought journey made possible only through faith, dedication and an incredible love of the game.
Standing at 5 foot 5 inches, Eeles’ height was one reason he was often overlooked by college and pro scouts coming out of high school. Despite his eagerness and a high baseball IQ, Eeles’ college prospects were bleak. Yet, in an unexpected connection through a virtual Bible study with multiple Christian coaches hosted by his father, a pastor in Georgia, Eeles’ name found its way to Cedarville Yellow Jackets head coach Mike Manes.
“What sold me on Cedarville wasn’t even the baseball aspect alone. It was everything else on top of baseball,” said Eeles. “Every kid grows up wanting to be famous, but I also wanted to be trained for a future no matter what kind, and the engineering program captured my heart in addition to Cedarville’s commitment to spiritual growth.”
The training Eeles received at Cedarville prepared him for the future. Having completed his bachelor of science in civil engineering in 2022 and logging a .372 batting average with the Yellow Jackets his senior year, two potential paths lay ahead.
COVID-19 brought a new challenge for Eeles when the MLB draft cut its normal number of prospects drafted by half. Eeles didn’t make the cut. However, granted one additional year of collegiate eligibility in response to the pandemic, Eeles transferred to Coastal Carolina University and logged a .374 batting average for the NCAA Division I Chanticleers.
In spite of impressive offensive statistics throughout both college teams, Eeles didn’t receive any major league offers after graduation.
Knowing that engineering would always be an option, Eeles decided to play a year in the Independent League in Chicago. Playing outside the MLB system for little pay, Eeles faced off against former prospects and top players on the last stretches of their career — a steep learning curve from Division I baseball. When a year came and went without any MLB connections, Eeles faced a crisis of faith and uncertainty for the future.
“I didn’t want to keep going in independent ball if I couldn’t see a future in it,” said Eeles. "But in my praying and searching, I ultimately didn’t feel like God was telling me I was finished. I didn’t know what that meant, but I stepped out in faith and followed that path for one last year.”
Everything changed in just the first six games of the following season.
After hitting three home runs within the first week of the season, Eeles had his contract purchased by the Minnesota Twins. Granted an incredible opportunity to sign with an MLB organization, it was a dream come true for Eeles to play for a major league franchise that he had followed ever since his childhood.
Once placed in the minor leagues, it didn’t take Eeles long to make an impact. He rapidly moved up in the Twins’ system, going from Single-A to High-A and then to Triple-A within the 2024 season — all while maintaining a .372 batting average.
While Eeles’ baseball journey nearly ended with him walking away from the sport entirely, he credits his incredible achievements to his faith and trust in God at every step.
“So much of my baseball journey has been marked by me questioning what God meant for my life, only to later see the whole picture of how each trial brought me exactly where I needed to be,” said Eeles. “My uncertainty from not getting drafted led me to Division I experience. My frustration at having to play independent ball gave me a trial-by-fire that made the minor leagues feel easy in comparison. At every step, God was guiding my path and simply asked me to trust him.”
Then, on the verge of breaking into the major leagues, an off-season surgery landed Eeles on the injured list throughout his first spring training and for the first month of games. While it was a disappointing start, Eeles determined to use his down time to work on developing his spiritual strength.
“I’ve actually been going back and listening to recordings from my Cedarville Bible classes to encourage me during these months,” said Eeles. “I feel like God is telling me to see what He’s done for me already and rest in trusting Him for these unknowns. It’s like He’s given me this downtime to strengthen my relationship with Him while I’m strengthening my body, too.”
Tanner Gillis
Gillis, Eeles’ Cedarville teammate and roommate, faced a similar journey. Cut from multiple high school teams, Gillis wasn’t sure if he still even wanted to pursue baseball when Cedarville offered him a scholarship. Originally a third baseman, Gillis endured a hard training regimen in the midst of COVID to transition to a pitcher. He used his final year of college eligibility to play Division I ball at the University of Northern Kentucky.
Yet, like Eeles, Gillis received no offers in that final year, facing a similar crisis. Inspired by Eeles’ experiences and heeding his advice, Gillis accepted a role playing for an MLB-affiliated draft league. At the end of a high-performance 2024 season, he was signed by the Milwaukee Brewers organization and lodged his first minor league appearance — and win — on April 5, 2025.
“My journey with baseball has shown me how much I need to trust God,” said Gillis. “Many times, I found myself in doubt and dark places, and my faith pushed me through. I wouldn’t be in baseball without letting God guide me.”
Whether at the doorstep of the MLB or the beginning of a minor league career, Eeles and Gillis have battled to use their gifts of baseball in meaningful ways. Now, the 2025 season promises monumental milestones — and new beginnings — for both.
Cedarville University, an evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate programs across arts, sciences, and professional fields. With 6,384 students, it ranks among Ohio's largest private universities and is recognized by the Wall Street Journal as being among the nation’s top three evangelical universities. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics, and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more at cedarville.edu.