Eickhoff was born in Evansville, Indiana, and graduated from Mater Dei High School in Evansville. In high school, he was primarily a third baseman, though he started pitching in his junior year. (Later, when Eickhoff made his MLB debut, he became only the second big leaguer from his high school’s baseball program to play major league baseball — Rob Maurer being the first.) \n', '

Eickhoff attended Olney Central College, where he played college baseball for the Blue Knights. Eickhoff was drafted after his freshman year by the Chicago Cubs, in the 46th round of the 2010 Major League Baseball Draft, but did not sign, instead returned to Olney Central. \n', '

In 2011 (his sophomore year), Eickhoff was the Great Rivers Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year, after going 10–4, with a 1.90 earned run average (ERA), striking out a school record 116 batters, in 88.1 innings, and earning NJCAA All-American honors. Eickhoff was then drafted by the Texas Rangers, in the 15th round of the 2011 Major League Baseball Draft, and netted a signing bonus of $150,000. Only one other Blue Knight (Clint Barmes) preceded him to the big leagues.\n', '

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