A Look at Chinooks in the Minor Leagues
Evin Einhardt – Chicago White Sox – AZL White Sox (Rookie)
For the past three years Evin Einhardt has been on a baseball journey, and while the journey has involved a variety of spots, Einhardt hopes it will culminate with the ultimate dream of making it to the major leagues. The 6’3” right-handed pitcher from Battle Creek, MI made his way to Lakeshore after pitching two seasons for Wabash Valley Community College in Mt. Carmel, IL. After making ten relief appearances out of the Chinooks’ bullpen during the summer of 2012, Evin pitched the 2013 season for Cumberland University (NAIA) in Tennessee and then transferred for his senior year to pitch at Brewton-Parker College, another NAIA school in Mount Vernon, Georgia, where he was named the 2014 SSAC Conference Pitcher of the Year. Einhardt posted a 1.57 ERA and allowed only twelve earned runs as he notched five victories for the Barons.
Einhardt’s senior season, along with his myriad of playing experiences, put him on the radar of the Chicago White Sox, who selected him in the 29th round of the 2014 MLB draft. “Being drafted is the best feeling in the world and I am so thankful for everyone who helped me get to this point,” says Einhardt. “I’m thankful for the opportunity to play for the Chinooks. They really help you get ready for minor league baseball. I have great memories of every time we played at home because there was such a great fan base and such a great stadium to be able to play at over the summer.” Einhardt took his experiences to Arizona where he spent this past summer playing for the White Sox Rookie team along with 2013 Chinook MVP Mike Hollenbeck in the Arizona League.
Einhardt on the mound for the Chinooks in 2012. |
With a record of 2-1 and an ERA of 7.33 in 23.1 innings of work, Einhardt knows that this year’s spring training will be pivotal for his career. His experiences with so many different teams during his college career should help him adjust quickly, but his performance will determine if his career will continue. With that in mind, Einhardt has been working out every day in the offseason. “My goal for the 2015 season is to make a full season team out of spring training and I have been working all offseason to achieve it,” says Einhart. After just a short stint with modest numbers for the Chinooks two summers ago, Einhardt will attempt to stay alive in a baseball world of improbable stories. After all, he’s been given a chance that eludes so many other players. We’ll see what he does with it!
