D-backs select contract of Adam Eaton from Triple-A Reno

PHOENIX — The Arizona Diamondbacks announced they have selected the contract of outfielder Adam Eaton from Triple-A Reno and transferred catcher Henry Blanco to the 60-day disabled list (torn ulnar collateral ligament in left thumb), according to D-backs’ Executive Vice President & General Manager Kevin Towers.

Eaton, 23, combined to hit .375 (198-for-528) with 47 doubles, 5 triples, 7 home runs, 48 RBI, 130 runs scored and 44 stolen bases in 130 combined games with Double-A Mobile and Reno in 2012. He was named the Pacific Coast League Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year, joining Salt Lake’s Robb Quinlan (2002) as the only players in the league’s history to win both awards in a single season.

Eaton ranked among all full-season Minor Leaguers in average (1st), hits (1st), doubles (1st), runs scored (1st) on-base percentage (2nd, .456), OPS (8th, .978) and total bases (8th, 276). He also reached base safely in 41 straight games from May 14-June 27, the third-longest streak in Triple-A this season.

The 5-foot-8, 184-pounder is a career .355 (430-for-1,210) hitter with 83 doubles, 16 triples, 24 home runs, 15 RBI and 98 stolen bases in 319 games over 3 Minor League seasons in the D-backs organization. Eaton was named to the PCL Mid-Season All-Star Team and All-PCL Team in 2012, California League Mid-Season All-Star Team in 2011, the Topps’ Short-Season/Rookie All-Star Team and Pioneer League All-Star Team in 2010.

Eaton was selected by Arizona in the 19th round of the 2010 First-Year Player Draft. He has no Major League experience and will wear No. 6.

Blanco, 41, appeared in 21 games in his second season with the D-backs and hit .188 (12-for-64) with 1 home run and 7 RBI. He injured his thumb on August 5 @ Phillies and was placed on the 15-day disabled list on August 6.