PawSox center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury races up the first-base line after a double in the first inning. It was his second at-bat of the inning in last night’s game against the Syracuse Chiefs.

THE PROVIDENCE JOURNAL / Glenn Osmundson Glenn Osmundson

PAWTUCKET — There are plenty of reasons why Jacoby Ellsbury is tucked away in the corner of the Pawtucket Red Sox’ clubhouse and surrounded by teammates who have major-league experience.

The highly touted prospect for the Boston Red Sox is only in his third professional season, and already he’s made strides to one day be an everyday centerfielder in the major leagues. Obviously there is a lot of hard work that goes into developing one’s natural ability in order to make that next step, but there are many other variables involved, too.

Ellsbury, 23, made his Triple-A debut for the PawSox on May 4, and it’s clear he has the ability to play at a high level. What makes him even more impressive, however, is the fact he’s willing to learn, listen and accept criticism both good and bad.

He’s constantly sitting with the veteran players on the team before, during and after games because he realizes they can evaluate a situation a lot quicker than a younger player can.

“I’ve been put into a good situation where there are a lot of guys who have a lot of experience,” said Ellsbury. “It’s better to go to the guys who have been there and have had a lot of success at the big-league level. Those are the guys who have a lot of knowledge to pass on.”

A perfect example of Ellsbury’s dedication to his craft came Thursday at McCoy when most of the Boston media was in town to watch Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester make his fourth rehab start for the PawSox. A reporter asked Ellsbury for a quick interview, to which he kindly obliged.

First, however, he had a sit down with major-league veteran, and newest PawSox teammate, Michael Tucker.

“Hey, anytime he’s going to give you advice you have to listen,” said Ellsbury.

Tucker, a veteran of 12 major-league seasons and over 1,400 games, mostly with Kansas City, was a rookie with Royals and had mentors by the names of George Brett, Wally Joyner, Greg Gagne, Gary Gaetti and Jose Lind.

“I had a whole group of guys I could just sit there and say, ‘Hey, can you explain this to me.’ Having that group of guys was just unbelievable,” admitted Tucker. “You get to pick their brains and it was something special.”

Tucker said he enjoys reciprocating now that he’s considered to be the seasoned veteran, and that’s why he’s taking time to sit with Ellsbury.

“He might have questions and you try to give him your input,” said Tucker. “He’s going to get that a lot right now from everybody. . . I remember that stage and it’s a great situation to be in.”

Certainly having players such as Tucker, Joe McEwing and Runelvys Hernandez around the clubhouse makes PawSox manager Ron Johnson’s job a little less stressful.

“I think it’s important to have those guys around to work with everybody,” said Johnson. “Anytime you have those guys who have multiple years in the big leagues is really valuable. They lead by example.”

Watching the seasoned veterans on the field, in the dugout, in the clubhouse and on the road has a lasting effect on a younger player, at least the ones who want to make it to the majors and stay.

“Anytime those guys see something they’ll bring it up and it’s probably the last time they are going to tell you,” said Ellsbury. “You just have to take it in, pick what you like out of it, something that will help you in your development.”

He’s also been spending some time with former Red Sox player Tommy Harper, who still holds the club’s single-season mark for stolen bases in a season with 54 in 1973, and the two will talk about the science of stealing a base and how to read a pitcher.

Harper has said Ellsbury has the ability to break his record, and already with the PawSox, he has eight stolen bases in just 19 games.

Over the last few seasons in Pawtucket there have been plenty of Red Sox prospects, but Ellsbury is different than most because he spends so much time studying the game with the help of some impressive tutors.

“I’m sure I’ll use a lot of these things down the road,” said Ellsbury. “I’m always looking to improve my game to get an edge. Anytime you can get that knowledge from them it’s very valuable.”

jmcdonal@projo.com