Nathan Eaton, a 2015 graduate from Thomas Dale High School and a rising junior at Virginia Military Institute, recently received a long-awaited phone call.
He had been selected by the Kansas City Royals in the 21st round of the Major League Baseball draft.
In a draft heavy with speed and college players, Eaton fit the bill for the Royals.
He stole 36 bases for the Keydets last season, and served as the team’s lead-off hitter, rapping .287 and scoring 51 runs.
He was the third pick of the day for VMI in what was a historic draft for the school. Josh Winder, a James River graduate, was selected in the seventh round by the Minnesota Twins, and Matt Pita, a Cosby High graduate, was selected in the 12th round by the New York Yankees.
The college had three players selected before the 25th round for the first time in its history.
