Michael Crouse
Crouse batting for the Lansing Lugnuts
Milwaukee Milkmen – No. 71
Outfielder
Born: (1990-11-22) November 22, 1990
Port Moody, British Columbia
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Medals
Men's baseball
Representing  Canada
Baseball World Cup
Bronze medal – third place 2011 Panama City Team
Pan American Games
Gold medal – first place 2011 Guadalajara Team
Silver medal – second place 2019 Lima Team

Michael R. Crouse (born November 22, 1990) is a Canadian professional baseball outfielder for the Milwaukee Milkmen of the American Association of Professional Baseball. He has also been a member of the Toronto Blue Jays organization, and has competed for the Canadian national baseball team.

Career

Amateur career

Crouse attended Centennial Secondary School in Coquitlam, British Columbia. Crouse played baseball and basketball in high school, eventually choosing to focus on baseball.[1]

"[Crouse] has some serious tools. It's crazy to look at the guy and realize he's only 21. He has the ability to become something very special one day. He's a hard worker with a great personality, so I know he will go the extra mile to improve his game with no hesitance."

–Tim Smith[2]

Toronto Blue Jays

Out of high school, Crouse was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 16th round (489th overall) of the 2008 MLB draft. Crouse chose to sign with the Blue Jays instead of attending college.[1] He made his professional debut in 2008, appearing in seven games with the Gulf Coast Blue Jays of the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League. He returned to the Gulf Coast Blue Jays in 2009. He was promoted to the Lansing Lugnuts of the Class-A Midwest League in 2010. With the Lugnuts, Crouse established himself as the team's starting right fielder, finishing the season with a .261 batting average, 14 home runs and 55 runs batted in.[1] He led the Lugnuts with 38 stolen bases.[1] Crouse joined the Dunedin Blue Jays in the Class-A Advanced Florida State League in 2012.[3] He remained with the Blue Jays organization through the 2014 season, playing for the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats, and was released in the offseason.

Lancaster Barnstormers

Crouse signed with the Lancaster Barnstormers of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, an independent league, for the 2015 season. He missed the entire campaign due to injury. He re-signed with the team on January 26, 2016.[4]

New Britain Bees

Lancaster traded Crouse to the New Britain Bees on May 21, 2016, and finished the 2016 Atlantic League season with a league leading 61 stolen bases.[5]

Pericos de Puebla

Crouse signed with the Pericos de Puebla of the Mexican League for the 2018 season.[6]

Algodoneros de Unión

He signed with Algodoneros de Unión Laguna in early 2019, but was released on May 21, 2019.

Somerset Patriots

On May 28, 2019, Crouse signed with the Somerset Patriots of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.[7]

Chicago Dogs

On March 16, 2020, Crouse signed with the Chicago Dogs of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball.[8] Crouse played in 58 games for Chicago in 2020, slashing .262/.379/.457 with 10 home runs, 30 RBI, and 20 stolen bases. He improved upon his previous season in 2021, appearing in 73 games for the club in 2021, batting .277/.383/.492 with 13 home runs, 64 RBI, and 33 stolen bases. In 2022, Crouse made 87 appearances for Chicago, hitting .283/.400/.406 with 7 home runs, 47 RBI, and 38 stolen bases.[9]

Winnipeg Goldeyes

On August 27, 2022, Crouse was traded to the Winnipeg Goldeyes of the American Association of Professional Baseball in exchange for Eric Rivera.[10] Crouse appeared in 9 games for Winnipeg to round out the year, going 4-for-27 with eight walks, no home runs, and 2 RBI.

Milwaukee Milkmen

On January 18, 2023, Crouse was claimed off waivers by the Milwaukee Milkmen.[11]

International career

Crouse has played for the Canadian national baseball team. He played in the 2008 World Junior Baseball Championship,[12] being named to the tournament's All-Star team. He also participated in the 2011 Baseball World Cup, winning the bronze medal, and the 2011 Pan American Games, winning the gold medal.[13] He was the youngest player on the team.[1]

Scouting profile

Crouse, listed at 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 m), is considered to be a five-tool player.[1] Drafted as a centre fielder, Crouse is expected to remain in right field.[1]

Personal

Crouse's father, Ray Crouse, a football running back, played in the National Football League and Canadian Football League.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Michael Crouse is a name to watch in the Blue Jays system | MLB.com: News
  2. ↑ Baseball Canada emerging into powerhouse under Hamilton's watch | Fox News
  3. ↑ Blue Jays outfield prospect Jake Marisnick seeks steady climb through organization | bluejays.com: News
  4. ↑ "Barnstormers ink Crouse". lancasterbarnstormers.com. January 26, 2016. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
  5. ↑ "404 Not Found". Atlantic League of Professional Baseball - Transactions. Retrieved 9 March 2017. {{cite web}}: Cite uses generic title (help)
  6. ↑ "Puebla sigue reforzándose en pretemporada" (in Spanish). February 21, 2018. Retrieved February 21, 2018.
  7. ↑ "Somerset Patriots Sign All-Star OF Michael Crouse". somersetpatriots.com. May 28, 2019. Retrieved May 28, 2019.
  8. ↑ "DOGS INK DEAL WITH OUTFIELDER MICHAEL CROUSE". thechicagodogs.com. March 16, 2020. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  9. ↑ "Mike Crouse Minor, Independent, Winter & Mexican Leagues Statistics".
  10. ↑ "American Association of Professional Baseball - 2022 Transactions".
  11. ↑ "American Association of Professional Baseball - 2023 Transactions".
  12. ↑ Les Juniors éliminés de la ronde des médailles - RDS.ca
  13. ↑ Canada golden on baseball's world stage | Bob Elliott | Columnists | Sports | London Free Press
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