Where does Nate Eaton stand with the KC Royals?

Shortly before the 2022 All-Star Break, and less than four full seasons into his professional baseball career, unique circumstances forced Nate Eaton into the major leagues. Although he was punishing Triple-A pitchers with a .329 average and .388 OBP at Omaha at the time, whether the KC Royals would have promoted him absent those circumstances is debatable.

But an unusual problem required a quick fix, and Eaton was part of the solution — their vaccination status blocked several Royals from traveling to Toronto for a four-game series with the Blue Jays, and the club summoned Eaton and other minor leaguers to fill in.

Unfortunately, no stellar storybook breakout awaited rookie Eaton in Canada. Yes, he started and finished all four contests in center field, and even homered in his first major league game, but he managed only one other hit, a single, in 12 official at-bats.

Based as it was on so few trips to the plate, the disappointment of that performance is easily and properly dismissed as inconclusive. Being called up for such a temporary assignment simply didn't give Eaton enough time to prove himself.

Nate Eaton gets a second chance

His wait for another opportunity wasn't long, though, and he made much of his second trip to the big leagues. The Royals brought him back in early August and he hit .277 with a .340 OBP, four doubles, three triples, and 10 RBI, and stole 11 bases in 12 attempts across 40 down-the-stretch games. Considering the dearth of major talent facing the Royals going into the 2023 season, his future seemed bright.

But Eaton's star soon faded. Last season was a career low point for him; uncertainty now clouds his future. Whether he figures prominently in the Royals' future is questionable.

What happened?

Why did Nate Eaton have such a bad season at the plate?

When it gets right down to it, no single factor accounts for the disaster that was Eaton's 2023 hitting as a Royal. His traditional and advanced big league metrics leave little to be praised and everything to be desired: besides that terrible slash line, and per FanGraphs, he didn't barrel a single ball, his hard hit rate was 28.1%, and he had poor run values on every type of pitch opposing hurlers threw him.

So, just what is it that's happened to Eaton? Why hasn't he rediscovered the bat that two seasons ago served him so well in the minors, when he slashed .285/.358/.465 and hit 13 homers in a 91-game campaign split between Double-A and Triple-A, and, during his second call to the majors leagues of the campaign, gave him good late-season numbers?

Perhaps the answer to that question is one no one wants to hear— perhaps Eaton just isn't a big league hitter.

What might be down the road?

Despite his batting woes, Eaton is positionally well-rounded — the Royals have used him at every outfield position and third base, and he's been their designated hitter. He also has minor league experience at shortstop. Whether that versatility helps his Kansas City cause is doubtful, especially after the Royals affected their outfield pecking order by acquiring Hunter Renfroe in December, and their utility situation by signing Garrett Hampson in November.

But the Royals have invited Eaton to spring training, which means that at least to some extent, he still holds their interest. How deep that interest runs, and for how long it lasts, we shall see.

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