Adam Eaton
Encyclopedia
Adam Thomas Eaton is a former Major League Baseball
pitcher
.
(ERA) as a senior, and earned second team High School All-America honors from Baseball America
. Ranked the No. 1 prospect in the Pacific Northwest by Baseball America, Eaton was scheduled to attend the University of Washington
, but was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies with the 11th pick in the first round of the 1996 Major League Baseball Draft
.
, the Piedmont Boll Weevils. Though he spent a month on the disabled list during the season, he posted a 5–6 record with a 4.18 ERA. Though his ERA went up a quarter of a point to 4.43 in , his record was 9–8 as he struck out 89 batters in 132 innings at Clearwater
. He was also named a mid-season All-Star in the Florida State League
. saw Eaton climbing his way up the rungs of the Phillies' farm system, starting the year at Clearwater, then earning promotions to Reading
and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre
. Between the three levels, Eaton posted a 11–10 record and a combined 3.34 ERA, striking out 127 in 167 innings. For his accomplishments, Eaton was honored as the recipient of the Paul Owens Award, given to the top Phillies' minor league pitcher each season. At the end of the season, before his first major league appearance, Eaton was traded with Carlton Loewer and Steve Montgomery by the Phillies to the San Diego Padres
for Andy Ashby
. He posted a 4–1 record in ten starts for the Mobile BayBears
.
, and won
his first major league game. He went 7–4 in the season, striking out 90 in 135 innings, and posting a 4.13 ERA. Eaton did not lose in his first eight starts as a Padre, posting a 1–0 record with a 3.02 ERA. He posted the best day game ERA in the National League (2.34), and became the third Padres pitcher, after Juan Eichelberger
and Doug Brocail
, to steal
two bases in a single season. His batting average
(.289) led all major league pitchers. Eaton's first full season in the major leagues, , produced mixed results. Eaton suffered a bizarre injury when he accidentally stabbed himself in the stomach while trying to open a DVD
package with a paring knife, and underwent season-ending "Tommy John" surgery
on August 21. Before his injuries, Eaton posted an 8–5 record with a 4.32 ERA. This season also produced his first two career complete games, and he posted two ten-strikeout games against the Houston Astros
and the San Francisco Giants
.
opponents. Eaton's ERA was a career low (4.08), but he only managed a 9–12 record over his second full season. He pitched at least seven innings in ten of his 31 starts, including a season-high eight innings to earn his third complete game of his career against the Cleveland Indians
. Though he started the season weakly, July was Eaton's top month; he posted a 4–0 record and a 2.81 ERA in the month. His nine wins were a career high.
, a San Diego rival, four times during the season, posting a 4–1 record and a 2.87 ERA against them. He also won eight games on the road, posting a 2.66 ERA during his seven-game winning streak away from new PETCO Park
. In a game against the Royals in July he became the eighth different Padre to take a no-hitter into the eighth inning, but was unable to complete the task. In his last year as a Padre, Eaton posted a 9–1 record over his first 13 starts. He pitched his way to a 10–5 record with an ERA of 4.27, but he went on the disabled list in the middle of June with a strained finger. He came back at the end of the season and won his final start against the Dodgers, striking out 11. This win also matched his career high from the previous season.
and Billy Killian to the Texas Rangers
for Chris Young, Terrmel Sledge
, and Adrian Gonzalez
.
game on March 29, Eaton injured his right middle finger, causing him to go on the 60-day DL
and miss the first half of the season. Eaton made his first start as a Ranger against the New York Yankees
on July 25, going 3⅔ innings and giving up one hit
and three earned run
s.
against the Atlanta Braves
. He pitched 4⅔ innings giving up 7 earned runs and took the loss. Eaton was the losing pitcher of record when the Phillies lost their 10,000th game in franchise-history on July 15, 2007 to the St. Louis Cardinals, 10–2, marking the first time a professional sports franchise reached that plateau. Eaton was 10–10 with an earned run average of 6.29, one of the worst in the league; despite this, the Phillies won the National League Eastern Division for the first time since . However, Eaton was not included in the postseason roster.
were a prime example; he yielded a combined 17 hits and 14 runs
in 6 1/3 innings against the New York Mets
and Arizona Diamondbacks
. It was announced on July 18 that Eaton would lose his spot in the Phillies' rotation to newly acquired Joe Blanton
. Eaton was optioned to the minor leagues on July 28, 2008. He did not return to the majors until he was added to the September callups as a bullpen pitcher. He did not appear in any game after his callup.
on March 1, 2009. In an interview with MLB.com
after his release from the Phillies, he claimed he was partially responsible for the Phillies' success in 2007
and 2008
: "A lot of things went wrong, but a lot of things went right, too. I helped them get to the playoffs two years in a row, and obviously we won the World Series
last year." He was promoted to the Orioles after spending the first week of the 2009 major league season with the Norfolk Tides
. He was released on May 22 after going 2–5 with an 8.56 ERA in eight starts.
. On September 9 he was designated for assignment
.
Eaton was granted free agency on October 6, .
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe 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 a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
.
High school
Eaton graduated from Snohomish High School in 1996 where he went 8–0 with a 0.67 earned run averageEarned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
(ERA) as a senior, and earned second team High School All-America honors from Baseball America
Baseball America
Baseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
. Ranked the No. 1 prospect in the Pacific Northwest by Baseball America, Eaton was scheduled to attend the University of Washington
University of Washington
University of Washington is a public research university, founded in 1861 in Seattle, Washington, United States. The UW is the largest university in the Northwest and the oldest public university on the West Coast. The university has three campuses, with its largest campus in the University...
, but was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies with the 11th pick in the first round of the 1996 Major League Baseball Draft
1996 Major League Baseball Draft
The 1996 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft of high school and college baseball players, was held on June 4 and 5, 1996...
.
Minor leagues
After signing, the Phillies assigned Eaton to their team in the A-level South Atlantic LeagueSouth Atlantic League
The South Atlantic League is a minor league baseball league based chiefly in the Southeastern United States, with the exception of three teams in the Mid-Atlantic States...
, the Piedmont Boll Weevils. Though he spent a month on the disabled list during the season, he posted a 5–6 record with a 4.18 ERA. Though his ERA went up a quarter of a point to 4.43 in , his record was 9–8 as he struck out 89 batters in 132 innings at Clearwater
Clearwater Threshers
The Clearwater Threshers are a minor league baseball team that currently plays in the Florida State League. Since 2004, the team competes in the West Division....
. He was also named a mid-season All-Star in the Florida State League
Florida State League
The Florida State League is a Class A-Advanced minor league baseball league operating in the state of Florida. They are one of three leagues currently operating in Class A-Advanced, the third highest of six classifications of minor leagues...
. saw Eaton climbing his way up the rungs of the Phillies' farm system, starting the year at Clearwater, then earning promotions to Reading
Reading Phillies
The Reading Phillies are a minor league baseball team based in Reading, Pennsylvania, playing in the Eastern Division of the Eastern League. Since the 1967 season, they have been the AA affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies....
and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons
The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees are a professional minor league baseball club located based in the Scranton-Wilkes-Barre area. They currently play in the International League's Northern Division and are the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees Major League Baseball club...
. Between the three levels, Eaton posted a 11–10 record and a combined 3.34 ERA, striking out 127 in 167 innings. For his accomplishments, Eaton was honored as the recipient of the Paul Owens Award, given to the top Phillies' minor league pitcher each season. At the end of the season, before his first major league appearance, Eaton was traded with Carlton Loewer and Steve Montgomery by the Phillies to the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
for Andy Ashby
Andy Ashby
Andrew Jason Ashby is a former Major League Baseball starting pitcher who played for the Philadelphia Phillies , Colorado Rockies , San Diego Padres , Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers...
. He posted a 4–1 record in ten starts for the Mobile BayBears
Mobile BayBears
The Mobile BayBears are a minor league baseball team based in Mobile, Alabama, United States. The team, which plays in the Southern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks major league club. The BayBears play in Hank Aaron Stadium, named after baseball's former all-time home...
.
2000–01
Eaton made his major league debut for the Padres on May 30, 2000, against the Milwaukee BrewersMilwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
, and won
Win (baseball)
In professional baseball, there are two types of decisions: a win and a loss . In each game, one pitcher on the winning team is awarded a win and one pitcher on the losing team is given a loss in their respective statistics. These pitchers are collectively known as the pitchers of record. Only...
his first major league game. He went 7–4 in the season, striking out 90 in 135 innings, and posting a 4.13 ERA. Eaton did not lose in his first eight starts as a Padre, posting a 1–0 record with a 3.02 ERA. He posted the best day game ERA in the National League (2.34), and became the third Padres pitcher, after Juan Eichelberger
Juan Eichelberger
Juan Tyrone Eichelberger is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He graduated from Balboa High School of San Francisco, California in 1971, played collegiately at the University of California, Berkeley and pitched for the San Diego Padres , Cleveland Indians and Atlanta Braves...
and Doug Brocail
Doug Brocail
Douglas Keith Brocail is a former American Major League Baseball pitcher. He is currently the interim pitching coach for the Houston Astros.-High school years:...
, to steal
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
two bases in a single season. His batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
(.289) led all major league pitchers. Eaton's first full season in the major leagues, , produced mixed results. Eaton suffered a bizarre injury when he accidentally stabbed himself in the stomach while trying to open a DVD
DVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
package with a paring knife, and underwent season-ending "Tommy John" surgery
Tommy John surgery
Tommy John surgery, known in medical practice as ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction, is a surgical procedure in which a ligament in the medial elbow is replaced with a tendon from elsewhere in the body...
on August 21. Before his injuries, Eaton posted an 8–5 record with a 4.32 ERA. This season also produced his first two career complete games, and he posted two ten-strikeout games against the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
and the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
.
2002–03
After recovering from Tommy John surgery, Eaton made six appearances at the end of the season for San Diego, finishing his season with a 1–1 record and posting a 1.71 ERA over his last three starts. He pitched each of his six starts against National League WestNational League West
The National League Western Division, or NL West, is one of the three divisions of Major League Baseball's National League. It was created in 1969 when the previously undivided National League expanded its membership to twelve teams, positioning half of them in an Eastern division and the other...
opponents. Eaton's ERA was a career low (4.08), but he only managed a 9–12 record over his second full season. He pitched at least seven innings in ten of his 31 starts, including a season-high eight innings to earn his third complete game of his career against the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
. Though he started the season weakly, July was Eaton's top month; he posted a 4–0 record and a 2.81 ERA in the month. His nine wins were a career high.
2004–05
was a career year for Eaton, as he reached new levels in wins, with 11; starts, with 33; innings pitched, with 199⅓; and strikeouts, with 153. He beat the Los Angeles DodgersLos Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
, a San Diego rival, four times during the season, posting a 4–1 record and a 2.87 ERA against them. He also won eight games on the road, posting a 2.66 ERA during his seven-game winning streak away from new PETCO Park
PETCO Park
Petco Park is an open-air ballpark in downtown San Diego, California, USA. It opened in 2004, replacing Qualcomm Stadium as the home park of Major League Baseball's San Diego Padres. Before then, the Padres shared Qualcomm Stadium with the NFL's San Diego Chargers...
. In a game against the Royals in July he became the eighth different Padre to take a no-hitter into the eighth inning, but was unable to complete the task. In his last year as a Padre, Eaton posted a 9–1 record over his first 13 starts. He pitched his way to a 10–5 record with an ERA of 4.27, but he went on the disabled list in the middle of June with a strained finger. He came back at the end of the season and won his final start against the Dodgers, striking out 11. This win also matched his career high from the previous season.
Offseason trade
On December 20, 2005, Eaton was traded, along with Akinori OtsukaAkinori Otsuka
is a currently inactive Japanese Major League Baseball player. He was formerly the set-up man for the San Diego Padres and the Texas Rangers...
and Billy Killian to the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
for Chris Young, Terrmel Sledge
Terrmel Sledge
Terrmel Sledge is a former outfielder in Major League Baseball, who currently plays for the Yokohama BayStars of Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan. Sledge's career began in with the Montreal Expos. He moved with the team to Washington, D.C...
, and Adrian Gonzalez
Adrián González
Adrian Gonzalez is an American professional baseball first baseman with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball.Gonzalez was the first overall pick in the 2000 Major League Baseball Draft by the Florida Marlins. He was traded to the Texas Rangers, and later to the San Diego Padres, where he...
.
2006
After the trade, Eaton was penciled in as the number two starter for the Rangers going into the season. However, during a spring trainingSpring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
game on March 29, Eaton injured his right middle finger, causing him to go on the 60-day DL
Disabled list
In Major League Baseball, the disabled list is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players.-General guidelines:...
and miss the first half of the season. Eaton made his first start as a Ranger against the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
on July 25, going 3⅔ innings and giving up one hit
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
and three earned run
Earned run
In baseball, an earned run is any run for which the pitcher is held accountable . Any runner who tags his base and reaches home plate is scored against the pitcher as an earned run...
s.
Signs with Phillies
On November 27, 2006, Eaton signed a three-year deal worth $24 million to re-join the team that drafted him, the Philadelphia Phillies.2007
Eaton made his debut for the Phillies on April 5, 20072007 Philadelphia Phillies season
The Philadelphia Phillies' 2007 season began with the Phillies approaching an historic mark. The Phillies started the year with an MLB-record 9,955 losses in franchise history. On July 15, they lost their 10,000th game to the St. Louis Cardinals...
against the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
. He pitched 4⅔ innings giving up 7 earned runs and took the loss. Eaton was the losing pitcher of record when the Phillies lost their 10,000th game in franchise-history on July 15, 2007 to the St. Louis Cardinals, 10–2, marking the first time a professional sports franchise reached that plateau. Eaton was 10–10 with an earned run average of 6.29, one of the worst in the league; despite this, the Phillies won the National League Eastern Division for the first time since . However, Eaton was not included in the postseason roster.
2008
Eaton's performance with the Phillies in the first half of the season was also decidedly poor; through July 12, he notched a 3–8 record in 19 starts with an earned run average of 5.71. His last two outings before the All-Star break2008 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 2008 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 79th midseason exhibition between the all-stars of the American League and the National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was played at Yankee Stadium in The Bronx, New York, home of the New York Yankees, on...
were a prime example; he yielded a combined 17 hits and 14 runs
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
in 6 1/3 innings against the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
and Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
. It was announced on July 18 that Eaton would lose his spot in the Phillies' rotation to newly acquired Joe Blanton
Joe Blanton
Joseph Matthew Blanton is a starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball.-College career:...
. Eaton was optioned to the minor leagues on July 28, 2008. He did not return to the majors until he was added to the September callups as a bullpen pitcher. He did not appear in any game after his callup.
2009
Two days after he was released by the Phillies, Eaton signed a minor league contract with the Baltimore OriolesBaltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
on March 1, 2009. In an interview with MLB.com
MLB.com
MLB.com is the official site of Major League Baseball and is overseen by Major League Baseball Advanced Media, L.P. . MLB.com is a source of baseball-related information, including baseball news, statistics, and sports columns...
after his release from the Phillies, he claimed he was partially responsible for the Phillies' success in 2007
2007 Philadelphia Phillies season
The Philadelphia Phillies' 2007 season began with the Phillies approaching an historic mark. The Phillies started the year with an MLB-record 9,955 losses in franchise history. On July 15, they lost their 10,000th game to the St. Louis Cardinals...
and 2008
2008 Philadelphia Phillies season
The Philadelphia Phillies' 2008 season was the 126th in the history of the franchise. The team finished with a regular season record of 92–70, first in the National League East. In the post-season, the Phillies won the World Series; this was the first major sports championship for...
: "A lot of things went wrong, but a lot of things went right, too. I helped them get to the playoffs two years in a row, and obviously we won the World Series
2008 World Series
The 2008 World Series was the 104th World Series between the American and National Leagues for the championship of Major League Baseball. The Philadelphia Phillies as champions of the National League and the Tampa Bay Rays, as American League champions, competed to win four games out of a possible...
last year." He was promoted to the Orioles after spending the first week of the 2009 major league season with the Norfolk Tides
Norfolk Tides
The Norfolk Tides are a minor league baseball team in the Triple-A International League. They play at Harbor Park in Norfolk, Virginia. Since 2007 they have been a farm team of the Baltimore Orioles; prior to that, they had a 38-year affiliation with the New York Mets.-Franchise history:The...
. He was released on May 22 after going 2–5 with an 8.56 ERA in eight starts.
Colorado Rockies
On June 6, Eaton signed a minor league contract with the Colorado RockiesColorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
. On September 9 he was designated for assignment
Designated for assignment
Designated for assignment is a contractual term used in Major League Baseball. When a player is designated for assignment, he is immediately removed from the club's 40-man roster. This gives the club 10 days to decide what to do with the player while freeing up a roster spot for another...
.
Eaton was granted free agency on October 6, .