Adam Eaton (outfielder)

Playing career

Eaton graduated from Kenton Ridge High School in Springfield, Ohio, becoming the fourth player from that school to reach the major leagues, following Dave Burba, Rick White, and Dustin Hermanson. In high school he played both pitcher and outfielder, with a fastball reaching 92 mph and a .482 batting average in his junior season of 2006. He helped his team reach regional finals in 2004 and 2005, earned All-Ohio honorable mention, and was named to the All-Miami Valley first team and Springfield News-Suns All-Area first team as a sophomore and junior.

A bulging disc from basketball limited his senior season in 2007. He committed to Miami University on a baseball scholarship as a two-way player for the Miami RedHawks, earning two All-MAC selections and setting the school record for triples with 18. The Diamondbacks selected him in the 19th round of the 2010 MLB draft, 571st overall. In 2010 and 2011 he batted .340 in the minors, was a Pioneer League All-Star outfielder in 2010 and a California League All-Star in 2011.

In 2011 he hit .318 with 145 hits, 72 walks, a .434 on-base percentage (fourth best in minor league baseball), and 34 stolen bases. He impressed manager Kirk Gibson during 2012 spring training. That year he played for the Triple-A Reno Aces, was named PCL Rookie of the Year and MVP, and was called up to the majors on September 4. He was expected to play for the Diamondbacks in 2013 but injured his right elbow in spring training, returning in July to appear in 66 games.

On December 10, 2013, the Diamondbacks traded him to the Chicago White Sox in a three-team deal involving the Angels and White Sox; the Diamondbacks received Mark Trumbo and two players to be named later, while the Angels received Tyler Skaggs and Hector Santiago.

Did You Know?

• Eaton has been confused with former MLB pitcher Adam Eaton, once receiving six licensing checks worth $20,000 each meant for the other player.
• He is married to former Miami RedHawks softball player Katie Osburn Eaton.
• He was hired as Director of Player Development for the Michigan State Spartans baseball team in 2022.