Nate Eaton

Nathan Wyatt Eaton (born December 22, 1996) is an American professional baseball infielder and outfielder for the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Kansas City Royals. He played college baseball at the Virginia Military Institute, and was drafted by the Royals in the 21st round of the 2018 MLB draft, and made his MLB debut with them in 2022.

Nate Eaton
Eaton with the Omaha Storm Chasers in 2023
Boston Red Sox – No. 40
Infielder / Outfielder
Born: (1996-12-22) December 22, 1996 (age 28) Chester, Virginia, U.S.
Bats: Right Throws: Right
MLB debut
July 14, 2022, for the Kansas City Royals
MLB statistics (through June 25, 2025)
Batting average	.212
Home runs	1
Runs batted in	14
Stats at Baseball Reference
Teams
Kansas City Royals (2022–2023) Boston Red Sox (2025–present)

Career

Kansas City Royals

Eaton attended Thomas Dale High School in Chester, Virginia, and played college baseball at the Virginia Military Institute. In 2018, he posted a .287/.402/.507 slash line while leading the Southern Conference with 36 steals and being caught five times.^[1] He was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 21st round of the 2018 Major League Baseball draft.^[2] He made his professional debut with the Idaho Falls Chukars and played in 2019 with the Lexington Legends, slashing .233/.305/.336 in 497 at bats and stealing 18 bases in 19 attempts.^[3][4]

Eaton did not play for a team in 2020 due to the Minor League Baseball season being cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. He played 2021 with the Arizona Complex League Royals and Quad Cities River Bandits, and for three minor league teams that season slashed .243/.350/.368 in 272 at bats with 23 stolen bases in 26 attempts.^[4] After the season, he played in the Arizona Fall League and was selected to play in the Fall Stars Game.^[5]

Eaton started 2022 with Northwest Arkansas Naturals before being promoted to the Omaha Storm Chasers, and in 2022 between the two teams he slashed .285/.358/.465 in 388 at bats with 23 stolen bases in 28 attempts.^[4]

The Royals promoted Eaton to the major leagues for the first time on July 14, 2022.^[6] That same day, Eaton logged his first career hit, a solo home run off of Anthony Banda. The blast helped fuel the Royals to a 3-1 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays.^[7] He was removed from the 40-man roster and returned to the minors on July 18. He had his contract selected back to the major league roster on August 3. In 2022 with the Royals, he slashed .264/.331/.387 in 106 at bats with 11 steals in 12 attempts.^[4]

Eaton made Kansas City's Opening Day roster to start the 2023 season.^[8] Eaton made his pitching debut on April 10, 2023, against the Texas Rangers. He pitched a scoreless ninth inning, hitting 94 mph (151 km/h) with his fastball and striking out Adolis García.^[9] Eaton struggled for Kansas City in 2023, playing in 28 games and slashing just .075/.125/.075 with no home runs, one RBI, and three stolen bases. On November 2, Eaton was designated for assignment by the Royals.^[10] He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple–A Omaha on November 8.^[11]

Eaton spent the 2024 campaign with Triple–A Omaha, playing in 116 games and slashing .252/.299/.439 with 16 home runs, 60 RBI, and 27 stolen bases. Eaton elected free agency on November 6, 2024.^[12]

Boston Red Sox

On November 20, 2024, Eaton signed a minor league contract with the Boston Red Sox.^[13] He made 53 appearances for the Triple-A Worcester Red Sox, hitting .277/.364/.446 with five home runs, 27 RBI, and four stolen bases. On June 1, 2025, the Red Sox selected Eaton's contract and added him to their active roster; he was optioned back to Triple-A the following day, then recalled on June 16.^[14]