Thomas Eshelman
{{short description|American baseball player (born 1994)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2017}}
{{Infobox MLB player
|name = Thomas Eshelman
|image = Tom Eshelman (48285235016) (cropped).jpg
|caption = Eshelman with the Baltimore Orioles in 2019
|position = Pitcher
|team =
|number =
|bats = Right
|throws = Right
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1994|6|20}}
|birth_place = Carlsbad, California, U.S.
|debutleague = MLB
|debutdate = July 1
|debutyear = 2019
|debutteam = Baltimore Orioles
|finalleague = MLB
|finaldate = October 1
|finalyear = 2021
|finalteam = Baltimore Orioles
|statleague = MLB
|stat1label = Win–loss record
|stat1value = 4–6
|stat2label = Earned run average
|stat2value = 5.77
|stat3label = Strikeouts
|stat3value = 49
|teams =
- Baltimore Orioles ({{mlby|2019}}–{{mlby|2021}})
}}
Thomas Darwin Eshelman (born June 20, 1994) is an American former professional baseball pitcher and current pitching coach in the San Diego Padres organization. He made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut with the Baltimore Orioles in 2019. He played college baseball for the Titans of California State University, Fullerton. The Houston Astros selected Eshelman in the 2015 MLB draft, and traded him to the Philadelphia Phillies after the 2015 season. He was traded to the Baltimore Orioles during the 2019 season.
Amateur career
Eshelman attended Carlsbad High School in Carlsbad, California. He played as a pitcher and catcher for Carlsbad's baseball team.{{cite web|url=http://baseballnews.com/eshelman-is-ultimate-master-of-control/|title=Eshelman Is Ultimate Master Of Control|work=baseballnews.com|access-date=June 8, 2015}} He was named to the California Interscholastic Federation's first team at the end of his senior season. However, he was not selected in the 2012 Major League Baseball draft.{{cite web|url=http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2015/jun/08/thomas-eshelman-fullerton-carlsbad/|title=Pitching fits Eshelman just fine|first=John |last=Maffei|work=U-T San Diego|date=June 8, 2015|access-date=June 8, 2015}}
Eshelman enrolled at California State University, Fullerton to play college baseball for the Cal State Fullerton Titans, exclusively as a pitcher. In 2013, his freshman year, Eshelman did not issue a walk in his first {{frac|63|1|3}} innings pitched. He ended the season with three walks allowed in {{frac|115|2|3}} innings, setting the National Collegiate Athletic Association single-season record for walks per nine innings pitched (0.23).{{cite web|url=http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/baseball_RB/2014/D1.pdf|title=Division I Baseball Records|publisher=National Collegiate Athletic Association|page=3|access-date=June 10, 2015}} He was named to the 2013 College Baseball All-America Team by Baseball America and Collegiate Baseball. In 2014, he was a member of the United States national collegiate baseball team.{{cite web|url=https://www.si.com/mlb/2015/05/07/thomas-eshelman-cal-state-fullerton-point-after|title=Thomas Eshelman of Cal State Fullerton is making baseball history|first=Lee|last=Jenkins|work=Sports Illustrated|date=May 7, 2015|access-date=June 8, 2015}} He finished his collegiate career with 17 walks in {{frac|362|2|3}} innings.{{cite web|url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-thomas-eshelman-titans-20150606-story.html|title=Fullerton pitcher Thomas Eshelman could earn a degree in accuracy|first=Chris|last=Foster|work=Los Angeles Times|date=June 5, 2015|access-date=June 8, 2015}}
Professional career
=Houston Astros=
MLB.com ranked Eshelman as the 99th best available prospect in the 2015 Major League Baseball draft, while Baseball America rated him 126th. The Houston Astros selected Eshelman in the second round, with the 46th overall pick, in the draft.{{cite web|url=http://blog.chron.com/ultimateastros/2015/06/08/rhp-thomas-eshelman-to-astros-at-no-46/|title=RHP Thomas Eshelman to Astros at No. 46|work=Houston Chronicle|date=June 9, 2015|access-date=June 11, 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://blog.chron.com/ultimateastros/2015/06/10/astros-pick-thomas-eshelman-a-control-freak-in-a-good-way/|title=Astros pick Thomas Eshelman a control freak, in a good way|work=Houston Chronicle|date=June 10, 2015 |first=Evan |last=Drellich|access-date=June 10, 2015}} Eshelman signed with the Astros, who assigned him to the Gulf Coast Astros of the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League to limit his workload for the remainder of the year, following the 130 innings Eshelman pitched for Cal State Fullerton in 2015.{{cite web|url=http://blog.chron.com/ultimateastros/2015/07/01/astros-sign-second-round-pick-thomas-eshelman/#33998101=0|title=Astros sign second-round pick Thomas Eshelman|date=July 1, 2015 | first=Jose |last=de Jesus Ortiz|work=Houston Chronicle|access-date=July 2, 2015}} In August, the Astros promoted Eshelman to the Quad Cities River Bandits of the Single-A Midwest League.{{cite web|url=http://qctimes.com/sports/baseball/professional/minor/midwest-league/rattlers-use-two-out-magic-to-top-bandits/article_1b3c18de-e4e8-5973-a445-5c65436bf3c5.html|title=Rattlers use two-out magic to top Bandits|author=BobMetcalf|work=The Quad-City Times|access-date=December 12, 2015}} He pitched in only four games as a professional in 2015.{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-161168518|title=Prospect Q&A: Eshelman excited to join Phils: Traded for Giles, righty ready for new challenge, reflects on first year|first=Danny|last=Wild|work=Minor League Baseball|date=January 14, 2016|access-date=January 15, 2016}} Eshelman went a combined 0–1 with a 4.35 ERA between both clubs.
=Philadelphia Phillies=
The Astros traded Eshelman, Mark Appel, Vince Velasquez, Brett Oberholtzer, and Harold Arauz to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for Ken Giles and Jonathan Araúz on December 12, 2015.{{cite web|url=http://mlb.nbcsports.com/2015/12/12/ken-giles-trade-announced-with-2013-no-1-pick-mark-appel-headed-to-the-phillies/|title=Ken Giles trade announced, with 2013 No. 1 pick Mark Appel headed to the Phillies|first=D. J.|last=Short|publisher=NBC Sports|work=HardballTalk|date=December 12, 2015|access-date=December 12, 2015}} He spent the 2016 season with the Clearwater Threshers of the High-A Florida State League{{cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/news/gcs-173355482|title=Eshelman has fun in the sun for Clearwater: Phillies right-hander strikes out career-high nine, retires 15 straight|first=Michael|last=Avallone|work=Minor League Baseball|date=April 20, 2016|access-date=April 20, 2016}} and the Reading Fightin Phils of the Double-A Eastern League, where he posted a 9–7 record with a 4.25 ERA, along with a 0.97 WHIP, between both clubs.{{cite web|first=Mike|last=Drago |url=http://www.readingeagle.com/sports/article/eshelman-possesses-nearly-unfailing-control-for-fightin-phils |title=Eshelman possesses nearly unfailing control for Fightin Phils|work=Reading Eagle |date=June 30, 2016 |access-date=May 9, 2017}}
Eshelman began the 2017 season with Reading, and earned a promotion to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs of the Triple-A International League in May.{{cite web|url=http://www.mcall.com/sports/baseball/ironpigs/mc-ironpigs-rochester-0508-20170508-story.html |title=IronPigs pitcher Tom Eshelman answers call with best start of season in Triple-A debut|first=Tom|last=Housenick|work=The Morning Call|date=June 8, 2016 |access-date=May 9, 2017}} He posted a combined 13–3 record with a 2.40 ERA between both teams. The 2018 season found him once again on the IronPigs’ roster. The season was mostly a disappointment, with Eshelman going 2–13, with a 5.84 ERA in 27 games (26 of them as a starter).{{citation needed|date=March 2019}}
Eshelman began the 2019 season in with Reading but was promoted back to Lehigh Valley after six starts with the team, going 0–3 with a 6.28 ERA.{{citation needed|date=July 2019}}
=Baltimore Orioles=
The Phillies traded Eshelman to the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for international bonus allocations on June 10, 2019. Eshelman had posted a 1–1 record with a 2.77 ERA, 23 strikeouts, and a complete game for Lehigh Valley at the time of the trade.{{cite web|url=https://www.masnsports.com/school-of-roch/2019/06/orioles-acquire-eshelman-from-phillies.html|title=Orioles acquire Eshelman from Phillies|first=Roch|last=Kubatko|date=June 10, 2019|website=MASN.com}}
After making three starts for the Norfolk Tides of the International League, the Orioles promoted Eshelman to the major leagues to start against the Tampa Bay Rays on July 1.{{Cite web|url=https://www.camdenchat.com/2019/7/1/20677542/orioles-news-tom-eshelman-josh-rogers|title=Orioles select contract of Tom Eshelman, who will start tonight's game|first=Mark|last=Brown|date=July 1, 2019|website=Camden Chat}} In his debut, he allowed two runs over five innings pitched.{{cite web|author=Nathan Ruiz|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/bs-sp-orioles-rays-tom-eshelman-20190701-story.html|title=Rays rally against Orioles bullpen for 6–3 win to spoil Tom Eshelman's strong debut|work=The Baltimore Sun|date=July 1, 2019|access-date=July 2, 2019}} On September 2, Eshelman was designated for assignment.{{cite web|author=Steve Adams|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/09/orioles-activate-mark-trumbo-dfa-tom-eshelman.html|title=Orioles Activate Mark Trumbo, Designate Tom Eshelman For Assignment|work=MLB Trade Rumors|date=September 2, 2019|access-date=September 2, 2019}}
On July 31, 2020, Eshelman was selected to Baltimore's active roster. In 2020 for the Orioles, Eshelman pitched in {{fraction|34|2|3}} innings over 12 games, notching a 3–1 record, 3.89 ERA and 16 strikeouts.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/player/shawn-armstrong-542888|title=Shawn Armstrong Stats, Fantasy & News|website=MLB.com}} On November 25, Eshelman was designated for assignment.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/11/orioles-claim-chris-shaw-release-renato-nunez-designate-thomas-eshelman.html|title=Orioles Claim Chris Shaw, Release Renato Nunez, Designate Thomas Eshelman|website=MLB Trade Rumors}} He elected free agency on December 3.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/12/thomas-eshelman-clears-waivers-elects-free-agency.html|title=Thomas Eshelman Clears Waivers, Elects Free Agency|website=MLB Trade Rumors}}
On January 16, 2021, Eshelman re-signed with the Orioles organization on a minor league contract.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/01/orioles-re-sign-thomas-eshelman.html|title=Orioles Re-Sign Thomas Eshelman|website=MLB Trade Rumors}} The Orioles added Eshelman to their active roster on June 18,{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/06/orioles-dfa-chance-sisco-catcher-former-top-prospect.html|title=Orioles Designate Chance Sisco For Assignment|website=MLB Trade Rumors}} and designated him for assignment on August 1.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/08/orioles-make-three-roster-moves-2.html|title=Orioles Make Three Roster Moves|website=MLB Trade Rumors}} On August 3, Eshelman cleared waivers and was assigned outright to Triple-A Norfolk.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/08/al-east-notes-eshelman-barnes-darwinzon-brasier.html|title = AL East Notes: Eshelman, Barnes, Darwinzon}} On September 19, the Orioles once more selected Eshelman's contract.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/09/orioles-designate-dusten-knight-select-thomas-eshelman.html|title = Orioles Designate Dusten Knight, Select Thomas Eshelman}} Eshelman made 9 appearances for the Orioles in 2021, going 0–3 with a 7.16 ERA and 11 strikeouts. On October 25, Eshelman elected free agency.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/10/orioles-outright-pat-valaika-thomas-eshelman-konner-wade.html|title = Four Orioles Players Elect Free Agency}}
=San Diego Padres=
On March 21, 2022, Eshelman signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/03/padres-sign-thomas-eshelman-minor-league-deal.html|title = Padres Sign Thomas Eshelman to Minor League Deal}} He made 27 appearances split between the Double-A San Antonio Missions and Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas, struggling to a 4-7 record and 5.76 ERA with 68 strikeouts across 114 innings pitched. Eshelman was released by the Padres organization on October 16.
Post playing career
Eshelman announced his retirement from professional baseball on December 5, 2022, and that he will be joining the San Diego Padres organization as a pitching coach.{{cite web|author=Mark Polishuk|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/12/thomas-eshelman-takes-coaching-job-with-padres.html|title=Thomas Eshelman Takes Coaching Job With Padres|work=MLB Trade Rumors|date=December 5, 2022|access-date=December 5, 2022}} On January 11, 2023, Eshelman was named the pitching coach of the Lake Elsinore Storm.{{Cite web |title=Announcement: 2023 Coaching Staff |url=https://www.milb.com/news/announcement-2023-coaching-staff |access-date=2023-01-22 |website=Minor League Baseball |language=en}} He was named pitching coach of the Fort Wayne TinCaps for the 2024 season.
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
{{baseballstats|mlb=664045|espn=34977|br=e/eshelto01|fangraphs=18361|brm=eshelm000tho|retro=E/Peshet001}}
- {{cite web|url=http://www.fullertontitans.com/sports/m-basebl/2013-14/bios/eshelman_thomas_gky9|title=Thomas Eshelman|work=Cal State Fullerton Athletics}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Eshelman, Thomas}}
Category:Sportspeople from Carlsbad, California
Category:Baseball players from San Diego County, California
Category:Major League Baseball pitchers
Category:Baltimore Orioles players
Category:Cal State Fullerton Titans baseball players
Category:Gulf Coast Astros players
Category:Quad Cities River Bandits players
Category:Clearwater Threshers players
Category:Reading Fightin Phils players
Category:Lehigh Valley IronPigs players
Category:21st-century American sportsmen
Category:Norfolk Tides players