Metrics show Royals’ Nate Eaton had one of the best relief outings ever by non-pitcher

The Texas Rangers challenged a safe call on Royals pinch-runner Nate Eaton’s stolen base attempt in the seventh inning of Tuesday’s game in Arlington, Texas.

During the break in action for the replay review, the quartet of Rangers infielders surrounded Eaton at second base.

Bally Sports Kansas City’s Rex Hudler surmised the Rangers hitters were asking Eaton about his relief outing a night earlier. Eaton put on a show and it caught the attention of national baseball observers.

Rob Friedman, better known as Pitching Ninja, included Eaton in a YouTube recap of Monday’s best pitching performances.

“Nate Eaton came in to pitch for the Royals and was perhaps the filthiest position player pitching you will see,” he said. “I mean check this stuff out.”

Pitching Ninja shared this clip of the crazy movement on Eaton’s sinkerball.

Baseball writer Nick Pollack was blown away by the outing from Eaton, who allowed two hits, struck out a batter and didn’t give up a run in his one inning pitched.

The Athletic’s Eno Sarris, who delves into advanced pitching metrics with his Stuff+ work, shared numbers for Eaton. He was on the plus side with two of his pitches.

Sarris said it was the best relief outing he’d seen from a position player.

Matthew Brownstein of the New York Times noted Eaton’s fastball was among the fastest by a position player in the pitch tracking era.

Royals fans will recognize two others on this list.