Adam Cory Eaton (born December 6, 1988) is an American former

professional baseball Professional baseball is organized baseball in which players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system. It is played in baseball league, leagues and associated farm teams throughout the world. Mod ...

outfielder An outfielder is a person playing in one of the three defensive positions in baseball or softball, farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder. As an outfielder, their duty is to cat ...

. He previously played in

Major League Baseball Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball organization and the oldest major professional sports league in the world. MLB is composed of 30 total teams, divided equally between the National League (NL) and the American League (AL), ...

(MLB) for the

Arizona Diamondbacks The Arizona Diamondbacks (colloquially known as the D-backs) are an American professional baseball team based in Phoenix. The Diamondbacks compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. The f ...

Chicago White Sox The Chicago White Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The White Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central division. The team is owned by Jerry Reinsdorf, and p ...

Washington Nationals The Washington Nationals are an American professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C.. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the National League (NL) East division. From 2005 to 2007, the team played in RFK Stadiu ...

, and

Los Angeles Angels The Los Angeles Angels are an American professional baseball team based in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. The Angels compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division. Since 1966, the team ha ...

. Eaton played

college baseball College baseball is baseball that is played on the intercollegiate level at institutions of higher education. In comparison to football and basketball, college competition in the United States plays a smaller role in developing professional pl ...

for

Miami University Miami University (informally Miami of Ohio or simply Miami) is a public research university in Oxford, Ohio. The university was founded in 1809, making it the second-oldest university in Ohio (behind Ohio University, founded in 1804) and the 10 ...

before the Diamondbacks selected him in the 19th round of the

2010 MLB draft The 2010 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft was held on June 7–9, 2010 at the MLB Network Studios in Secaucus, New Jersey. First-round selections The draft order was determined based on the 2009 MLB standings, with the worst team pic ...

. He made his MLB debut in 2012 with the Diamondbacks, and played with them through the 2013 season, when they traded him to the White Sox. He played for the White Sox from 2014 to 2016 and the Nationals from 2017 to 2020. He was also a member of the Nationals'

2019 World Series The 2019 World Series was the championship series of Major League Baseball's (MLB) 2019 season. The 115th edition of the World Series, it was a best-of-seven playoff between the American League champion Houston Astros and the National League ...

champion team.

Career

Amateur career

Eaton graduated from Kenton Ridge High School in

Springfield, Ohio Springfield is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Clark County, Ohio, Clark County. The municipality is located in southwestern Ohio and is situated on the Mad River (Ohio), Mad River, Buck Creek, and Beaver Creek, approxim ...

. He is the fourth player to reach the major leagues from Kenton Ridge, preceded by

Dave Burba David Allen Burba (born July 7, 1966) is an American former professional baseball pitcher who played for the Seattle Mariners, San Francisco Giants, Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers, and Milwaukee Brewers of Major League Baseball ...

, Rick White and

Dustin Hermanson Dustin Michael Hermanson (born December 21, 1972) is an American former right-handed relief pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB). Hermanson pitched for several MLB teams between 1995 and 2006. He had his best season with the 2005 Chicago White S ...

. A pitcher and outfielder in high school, Eaton's

fastball The fastball is the most common type of pitch thrown by pitchers in baseball and softball. "Power pitchers," such as former American major leaguers Nolan Ryan and Roger Clemens, rely on speed to prevent the ball from being hit, and have thro ...

could reach as high as 92 mph, while he batted .482 in his junior season in 2006. He helped lead his team to the regional finals in 2004 and 2005. Eaton earned All-Ohio honorable mention honors that year, as well as being named to the All-

Miami Valley The Miami Valley is the land area surrounding the Great Miami River in southwest Ohio, USA, and includes the Little Miami, Mad, and Stillwater rivers as well. Geographically, it includes Dayton, Springfield, Middletown, Hamilton, and other c ...

first team and the ''

Springfield News-Sun The ''Springfield News-Sun'' is a daily newspaper published in Springfield, Ohio, by Cox Enterprises, which also publishes the ''Dayton Daily News''. Both newspapers contain similar editorial content, but tailor their local news coverage to the ar ...

''s All-Area first team as a sophomore and junior. However, a

bulging disc Spinal disc herniation is an injury to the cushioning and connective tissue between vertebrae, usually caused by excessive strain or trauma to the spine. It may result in back pain, pain or sensation in different parts of the body, and physic ...

suffered while playing basketball limited Eaton in his senior season in 2007. Eaton committed to attend

on a

baseball Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each, taking turns batting and fielding. The game occurs over the course of several plays, with each play generally beginning when a player on the fielding tea ...

scholarship. Miami recruited Eaton as a two-way player. He played for the

Miami RedHawks baseball The Miami RedHawks baseball team (formerly the Miami Redskins) is a varsity intercollegiate athletic team of Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, United States. The team is a member of the Mid-American Conference East division, which is part of the ...

team in the

Mid-American Conference The Mid-American Conference (MAC) is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I collegiate athletic conference with a membership base in the Great Lakes region that stretches from Western New York to Illinois. Nine of the twel ...

(MAC) in

NCAA Division I NCAA Division I (D-I) is the highest level of College athletics, intercollegiate athletics sanctioned by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in the United States, which accepts players globally. D-I schools include the major ...

. In 2009, he was named a MAC All-Star outfielder.

Arizona Diamondbacks

The Diamondbacks drafted Eaton in the 19th round of the

2010 Major League Baseball draft The 2010 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft was held on June 7–9, 2010 at the MLB Network Studios in Secaucus, New Jersey. First-round selections The draft order was determined based on the 2009 MLB standings, with the worst team pic ...

, with the 571st overall selection. In 2010 and 2011, Eaton had a .340

batting average Batting average is a statistic in cricket, baseball, and softball that measures the performance of batters. The development of the baseball statistic was influenced by the cricket statistic. Cricket In cricket, a player's batting average is ...

with the Diamondbacks' minor league affiliates. Eaton was named a Pioneer League All-Star outfielder in 2010, and a

California League The California League is a Minor League Baseball league that operates in California. Having been classified at various levels throughout its existence, it operated at Class A-Advanced from 1990 until its demotion to Single-A following Major Leag ...

All-Star in 2011. In 2011, he batted .318 with 145

hits Hits or H.I.T.S. may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Music * ''H.I.T.S.'', 1991 album by New Kids on the Block * ''...Hits'' (Phil Collins album), 1998 * ''Hits'' (compilation series), 1984–2006; 2014 - a British compilation album se ...

and 72 walks, good for a .434

on-base percentage In baseball statistics, on-base percentage (OBP) measures how frequently a batter reaches base. An official Major League Baseball (MLB) statistic since 1984, it is sometimes referred to as on-base average (OBA), as it is rarely presented as a ...

(OBP), which was the fourth best OBP in minor league baseball. Eaton also stole 34 bases. He was invited to

spring training Spring training is the preseason in Major League Baseball (MLB), a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for Schedule (workplace), roster and position spo ...

in 2012, where he impressed Diamondbacks'

manager Management (or managing) is the administration of an organization, whether it is a business, a nonprofit organization, or a government body. It is the art and science of managing resources of the business. Management includes the activities o ...

Kirk Gibson Kirk Harold Gibson (born May 28, 1957) is an American former professional baseball player and manager. He is currently a color commentator for the Detroit Tigers on Bally Sports Detroit and a special assistant for the Tigers. As a player, Gibson ...

, and received as many

at bat In baseball, an at bat (AB) or time at bat is a batter's turn batting against a pitcher. An at bat is different from a plate appearance. A batter is credited with a plate appearance regardless of what happens during their turn at bat, but a batt ...

s as Diamondbacks regulars. Eaton played for the

Reno Aces The Reno Aces are a Minor League Baseball team of the Pacific Coast League (PCL) and the Triple-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks. They are located in Reno, Nevada, and play their home games at Greater Nevada Field, which opened in 2009. ...

of the

Class AAA Triple-A (officially Class AAA) has been the highest level of play in Minor League Baseball in the United States since 1946. Currently, two leagues operate at the Triple-A level, the International League (IL) and the Pacific Coast League (PCL ...

Pacific Coast League The Pacific Coast League (PCL) is a Minor League Baseball league that operates in the Western United States. Along with the International League, it is one of two leagues playing at the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A level, which is one grade bel ...

(PCL) in 2012. He was named the PCL Rookie of the Year and

Most Valuable Player In team sports, a most valuable player award, abbreviated 'MVP award', is an honor typically bestowed upon an individual (or individuals, in the instance of a tie) whose individual performance is the greatest in an entire league, for a particu ...

. The Diamondbacks called Eaton up to the major leagues on September 4. Eaton was expected to play for the Diamondbacks for the 2013 season, but suffered an injury to his right elbow during spring training. He returned to the Diamondbacks in July, and played in 66 games.

Chicago White Sox

On December 10, 2013, the Diamondbacks traded Eaton to the

in a three-team deal, involving the Diamondbacks, the

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim The Los Angeles Angels are an American professional baseball team based in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. The Angels compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division. Since 1966, the team ha ...

, and the White Sox. The Diamondbacks received

Mark Trumbo Mark Trumbo (born January 16, 1986) is an American former professional baseball first baseman and outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim from 2010 through 2013, for the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2 ...

from the Angels and two

players to be named later In Major League Baseball, a player to be named later (PTBNL) is an unnamed player involved in exchange or "trade" of players between teams. The terms of a trade are not finalized until a later date, most often following the conclusion of the seaso ...

(

Brandon Jacobs Brandon Christopher Jacobs (born July 6, 1982) is a former American football running back, who spent the majority of his career with the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Coffeyville, Auburn, ...

and A. J. Schugel) and the Angels received

Tyler Skaggs Tyler Wayne Skaggs (July 13, 1991July 1, 2019) was an American left-handed professional baseball starting pitcher who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Angels from 2012 until his death in 2019. ...

from the Diamondbacks and

Hector Santiago Hector Santiago or Héctor Santiago may refer to: * Hector Santiago (baseball) (born 1987), American professional baseball pitcher * Héctor Santiago (playwright) (born 1944), Cuban playwright See also * Héctor Santiago-Colón {{Human name di ...

from the White Sox. Eaton batted .300 with 15 stolen bases during the 2014 season. During spring training in 2015, Eaton and the White Sox agreed to a five-year contract extension worth $23.5 million, with options for two additional years. During a game against the

Kansas City Royals The Kansas City Royals are an American professional baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central division. The team was founded as an expans ...

on April 22, 2015, Eaton grounded out to

Yordano Ventura Yordano Ventura Hernández (; June 3, 1991 – January 22, 2017) was a Dominican professional baseball pitcher for the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball (MLB). Ventura made his MLB debut on September 17, 2013. Known as a power pitcher ...

, who shouted profanity at Eaton, which ignited a bench-clearing brawl. Eaton was unaffected while five players, including Ventura were ejected.

Washington Nationals

On December 7, 2016, the White Sox traded Eaton to the

for

Lucas Giolito Lucas Frost Giolito (born July 14, 1994) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Chicago White Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB). He attended Harvard-Westlake School in Studio City, California, and was selected by the Washington Na ...

Reynaldo López Reynaldo Starling López Kely (born January 4, 1994) is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher for the Chicago White Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut with the Washington Nationals in 2016. Career Minor leagues López ...

, and

Dane Dunning Dane Anthony Dunning (born December 20, 1994) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut with the Chicago White Sox in 2020. Career Amateur career After graduating fr ...

2017

On Opening Day, Eaton went 1-for-2, was walked twice, stole a base, scored a run, and hit a double against the

Miami Marlins The Miami Marlins are an American professional baseball team based in Miami. The Marlins compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) East division. The club's home ballpark is LoanDepot Park. The franc ...

. On April 28, 2017, Eaton stumbled when reaching first base and left the game. The next day, on April 29, Eaton was diagnosed with a left knee strain, placing him on the 10-day disabled list. The same night, further tests from MRIs revealed that Eaton had a torn ACL, as well as a torn meniscus and a sprained ankle. He would miss the rest of the 2017 season.

2018

Eaton got a late start on

in 2018, with the Nationals wanting to handle him with care. He got off to a hot start at the plate to begin the season, winning the first National League Player of the Week award of the year (and in his career) after going 8-for-13 with two home runs against the

Cincinnati Reds The Cincinnati Reds are an American professional baseball team based in Cincinnati. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) National League Central, Central division and were a charter member of ...

in a three-game series. However, Eaton continued to move awkwardly on his surgically repaired left leg, and after exiting a game against the

New York Mets The New York Mets are an American professional baseball team based in the New York City borough of Queens. The Mets compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the National League (NL) East division. They are one of two major league ...

early on April 5 following an aggressive sliding play at the plate to score a run, he was ultimately placed on the disabled list with what was described as a bone bruise in his left ankle on April 11. On May 10, Eaton underwent arthroscopic surgery on his injured ankle in

Green Bay, Wisconsin Green Bay is a city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The county seat of Brown County, it is at the head of Green Bay (known locally as "the bay of Green Bay"), a sub-basin of Lake Michigan, at the mouth of the Fox River. It is above sea lev ...

, with Dr. Robert Anderson discovering and removing a small tear in the cartilage of the ankle that was causing discomfort. Following the chondral flap operation and a brief rehab assignment with the Class-AA

Harrisburg Senators The Harrisburg Senators are a Minor League Baseball team of the Eastern League, and the Double-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, who play their home games at FNB Field on City Island, which opened in 1987 a ...

and High-A

Potomac Nationals The Potomac Nationals were a Minor League Baseball team of the Carolina League. They were located in Woodbridge, Virginia, and played their home games at Northwest Federal Field at Pfitzner Stadium. After the 2019 season, the team relocated to Fr ...

, Eaton was activated from the disabled list for a start in right field against the

San Francisco Giants The San Francisco Giants are an American professional baseball team based in San Francisco, California. The Giants compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. Founded in 1883 as the New Yor ...

Nationals Park Nationals Park is a baseball stadium A ballpark, or baseball park, is a type of sports venue where baseball is played. The playing field is divided into the infield, an area whose dimensions are rigidly defined, and the outfield, where dimen ...

on June 9. Eaton compiled a .301 average and .805 OPS over 319 plate appearances on the season.

2019

In 2019 he batted .279/.365/.428 with 15 home runs and 49 runs batted in. The Nationals finished the year 93–69, clinching a wild card spot and winning the

World Series The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States and Canada, contested since 1903 between the champion teams of the American League (AL) and the National League (NL). The winner of the World ...

over the Astros.

2020

In 2020, Eaton batted .226/.285/.384 with four home runs and 17 runs batted in during 41 games in the pandemic-shortened season.

Chicago White Sox (second stint)

On December 8, 2020, he signed a 1 year, $7 million deal to return to the White Sox with an $8.5 million club option for 2022. After hitting .201/.298/.344 in 58 games for Chicago, the team designated Eaton for assignment on July 7, 2021. Eaton was released by Chicago on July 12.

Los Angeles Angels

On July 14, 2021, Eaton signed a major league contract with the

. In 25 games for the Angels, Eaton hit .200 with one home run and two runs batted in. On August 15, Eaton was designated for assignment by the Angels. On August 20, Eaton was released by the Angels. In a May 2022 interview, Eaton confirmed his MLB career was over.

Personal life

Adam has been confused with former

(MLB)

pitcher In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throws ("pitches") the baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw ...

Adam Eaton. In one instance, he received six licensing checks from MLB worth $20,000 each, and has received

fan mail Fan mail is mail sent to a public figure, especially a celebrity, by their admirers or "fans". In return for a fan's support and admiration, public figures may send an autographed poster, photo, reply letter or note thanking their fans for the ...

meant for the other MLB veteran. Eaton is married to former Miami RedHawks softball player Katie Osburn Eaton. They have two sons, and reside in

Brighton, Michigan Brighton is a city in the Detroit metropolitan area in southeastern Livingston County, Michigan, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 7,444. Brighton forms part of the South Lyon-Howell-Brighton Urban Area. It is one of ...

during the offseason.

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Eaton, Adam 1988 births Living people Baseball players from Ohio Arizona Diamondbacks players Chicago White Sox players Washington Nationals players Los Angeles Angels players Miami RedHawks baseball players Missoula Osprey players Visalia Rawhide players Salt River Rafters players Mobile BayBears players Reno Aces players Arizona League Diamondbacks players Charlotte Knights players Major League Baseball outfielders Pacific Coast League MVP award winners