GLENDALE, Ariz. -- On draft day in 2010, a once-excited Adam Eaton grew despondent when his value kept plummeting, first out of the top 10 rounds, then out of the top 15.

By the time his name was called as an Arizona Diamondbacks selection in the 19th round, his reaction was as much relief as it was that his professional baseball career was about to begin.

Flash forward 5½ years, and the $23.5 million contract extension Eaton signed with the Chicago White Sox on Friday showed the assessment of his own talent was more than just a heavy dose of blind self-confidence.

"It almost brings a tear to my eye because I've been looked over my whole life," Eaton said. "I say that I dreamed about it, but really, I didn't. When I was in high school I dreamed about playing college baseball, Division II, Division III. When I was in college, [it was] just dreaming about putting a professional uniform on in Missoula, Montana, a little town where that's all that is going on. To sign a professional contract for five years in the big leagues is crazy. It's absolutely crazy how far we've come."

Even when he did reach the major leagues, the obstacles remained. He suffered an elbow injury with the Diamondbacks in 2013 that cost him a significant chunk of his rookie season. Then, there were teammates who thought he was too rah-rah for their tastes.

The question marks could have been a factor in the Diamondbacks including Eaton in a three-team trade that also involved the Los Angeles Angels last offseason. The White Sox could not be happier.

"These guys are hard to find, and you have a guy who addresses several needs of being able hit at the top of the order, get on base, run and play defense at a premium position. That's a nice piece to have on any club," general manager Rick Hahn said Friday.

Eaton always felt his grinder style had major value, even when he was causing opponents problems when he attended Kenton Right High School in Ohio.

When scouts and talent evaluators told Eaton he would go no later than the 10th round in the 2010 draft, and possibly sooner, he was eager to learn what club would take him. When the draft went on and on and on, eager turned to anxious.

While disappointed, Eaton understood what was happening. A 5-foot-8 baseball player who has a tendency to throw his body all around the field isn't exactly a safe recommendation for a scout to make to his bosses.

Even while knowing those concerns, Eaton has refused to play any other way, and because he continued to do it his way, Eaton got a contract Friday that validated the confidence he had in himself.

"Rick mentioned to my agent when I got traded that hopefully we'll have talks next year," Eaton said. "For me to prove him right, it was big for me to go out and hit .300 and play good defense day in and day out. And then to be able to have those talks is great.

"It's just confidence in the club and confidence in me, and I think it's going to be a lot easier for me to go out there and compete every day and compete at a high level with their confidence within me. It's a great day."

Contract talks started just over two weeks ago, and Eaton admitted to having many sleepless nights. His reaction was typical, and it's why many teams put contract talks on the shelf once the season begins. Jose Quintana was pounded in a Cactus League game last year, just before his own contract extension was finalized.

One year earlier, Chris Sale had his own contract extension completed. The Eaton contract means the White Sox have Sale, Quintana, Jose Abreu and Eaton locked into long contracts, all at team-friendly rates.

"To be in company with those guys, being signed early, it's a thrill for me," Eaton said. "With that being said, I kind of touched on it earlier, we've got a good group of core guys who are going to be here three, four, five years. It's exciting. The South Side should be proud and excited for that, some good arms and then myself and some other guys along for the ride. We're happy with that."

Even when he talks, Eaton's self-confidence bleeds through. He's been with the White Sox for just one full season, but so far, he's earned the right to tell it like it is.