David Willauer – Contributing Writer-Storm Stadium-Lake Elsinore, CA- Tom Eshelman after an outstanding baseball career with 4 Major League MLB teams was released by the San Diego Padres on October 16, 2022, announced his retirement in December 5, 2022 was named pitching coach on January 11, 2023 by the Lake Elsinore Storm.
While at Carlsbad High School, Tom Eshelman lettered in baseball where he pitched on the mound and was behind the plate. In his senior season he was named to the CIF First Team. Thus falling short of a CIF title after losing to El Camino
After graduating from Carlsbad, the former Lancer decided to lend his pitching skills for the Titans of Cal State Fullerton. In his freshman year Eshelman didn’t allow a walk through 63 1/2 innings thus ending the season with a total of 115 2/3 innings and set the NCAA Baseball record for walks at 0.23
Tom Eshelman on his season at Cal Fullerton: “While In my freshman year I had one of those unbelievable season that everyone has in their career.” I decided to transfer work on my game so I can much improve for my sophomore and junior seasons while at Cal Fullerton.”
In 2015 Eshelman was drafted by the Houston Astros where he played for 4 months. The Astros optioned him to the Quad City River Bandits where he played in 4 games.
“To be drafted by an organization by Houston with a lot of prospects had to be a lot of consideration the rebulding process was humbling then I was traded to the Phillies.” said Tom Eshelman
On December ol 2015 the former Carlsbad product was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies. The following year Eshelman played with the Clearwater Thrashers, Reading Fightin Phils and the Lehigh Valley Ironpigs. He played for the Phillies for 4 years.
“I played for the Phillies for 4 years as I had my ups and downs I was in the wedding of 2 Phillies players who I keep in touch with as I met a lot of great people 2017 was my best year as I started the AAA all star game” said Tom Eshelman
On June of 2019 the former Lancer product was traded to the Baltimore Orioles for international bonus allocations. He played with the Birds for 2 years and declared free agency in 2020.
“The Baltimore Orioles had a special place in my heart with a great class organization where I have met a lot of great people While with the Birds I’ve had some rough years and struggles, when the stadium sells out it is a great place to pitch for the fans are in the game and know what is going on.” said Tom Eshelman.
In 2022, Eshelman signed a minor league deal with the Padres where he announced his retirement in December of 2022 still active in the game on January of 2023, Tom Eshelman was named pitching coach of the San Diego Padres
“While in the Minor League system I got to see the country along with big cities that I to was Norfolk, Syracuse, Buffalo Jacksonville, San Antonio while pitching for the Texas League what a unique experience while taking a tour of the country.” said Tom Eshelman
In game 5 of a 6 game series the Modesto Nuts at 8-6 (the single A farm team of the San Francisco Giants) broke a 3-3 tie in the top of the 8th sent 9 batters to the place and scored 5 runs as they defeated the Lake Elsinore Storm by an 8-5 score.
Tyler Cleveland gets the win at 1-1 as he pitched 6 innings gave up 4 hits 3 runs 3 earned 1 walk and 4 strikeouts for the Nuts at 8-6. Dylan Nedved gets the loss at 0-1 in relief for the Storm at 9-5 as he pitched 1.2 innings gave up 4 hits 4 runs 4 earned 1 walk and 1 strikeout.
Modesto and Lake Elsinore will play at 1:15 in Storm Stadium on Sunday, April 23rd.
