Eaton played college baseball for Miami University before the Diamondbacks selected him in the 19th round of the 2010 MLB draft. 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 champion team.
Eaton graduated from Kenton Ridge High School in Springfield, Ohio. He is the fourth player to reach the major leagues from Kenton Ridge, preceded by Dave Burba, Rick White and Dustin Hermanson. A pitcher and outfielder in high school, Eaton's fastball could reach as high as 92 mph, while he batted .482 in his junior season in 2006.[2] He helped lead his team to the regional finals in 2004 and 2005.[3] Eaton earned All-Ohio honorable mention honors that year,[4] as well as being named to the All-Miami Valley first team and the Springfield News-Sun's All-Area first team as a sophomore and junior.[2][5] However, a bulging disc suffered while playing basketball limited Eaton in his senior season in 2007.[3][4]
Eaton played for the Reno Aces of the Class AAAPacific Coast League (PCL) in 2012. He was named the PCL Rookie of the Year[13] and Most Valuable Player.[14] The Diamondbacks called Eaton up to the major leagues on September 4.[15] 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,[16] and played in 66 games.
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.[19] During a game against the Kansas City Royals on April 22, 2015, Eaton grounded out to Yordano Ventura, who shouted profanity at Eaton, which ignited a bench-clearing brawl. Eaton was unaffected while five players, including Ventura were ejected.[20]
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.[22] 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.[23] 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.[24]
2018
Eaton got a late start on spring training 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 in a three-game series.[25] However, Eaton continued to move awkwardly on his surgically repaired left leg, and after exiting a game against the New York Mets early on April 5 following an aggressive sliding play at the plate to score a run,[26] he was ultimately placed on the disabled list with what was described as a bone bruise in his left ankle on April 11.[27] On May 10, Eaton underwent arthroscopic surgery on his injured ankle in Green Bay, Wisconsin, with Dr. Robert Anderson discovering and removing a small tear in the cartilage of the ankle that was causing discomfort.[28] Following the chondral flap operation and a brief rehab assignment with the Class-AA Harrisburg Senators and High-A Potomac Nationals, Eaton was activated from the disabled list for a start in right field against the San Francisco Giants at Nationals Park on June 9.[29] Eaton compiled a .301 average and .805 OPS over 319 plate appearances on the season.
2019
Eaton with the Nationals' 2019 World Series trophy
In 2019 he batted .279/.365/.428 with 15 home runs and 49 runs batted in.[30] The Nationals finished the year 93–69, clinching a wild card spot and winning the World Series over the Astros.[31]
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.[32] After hitting .201/.298/.344 in 58 games for Chicago, the team designated Eaton for assignment on July 7, 2021.[33][34][35] Eaton was released by Chicago on July 12.[36]
Los Angeles Angels
On July 14, 2021, Eaton signed a major league contract with the Los Angeles Angels.[37] 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.[38] On August 20, Eaton was released by the Angels.[39]
In a May 2022 interview, Eaton confirmed his MLB career was over.[40]
Personal life
Adam has been confused with former Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcherAdam Eaton. In one instance, he received six licensing checks from MLB worth $20,000 each, and has received fan mail meant for the other MLB veteran.[8][41] Eaton is married to former Miami RedHawks softball player Katie Osburn Eaton. They have two sons,[42] and reside in Brighton, Michigan during the offseason.
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