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Jason Bourgeois
Jason Bourgeois
from Wikipedia

Jason Jerrod Bourgeois (booj-wa; born January 4, 1982) is an American former professional baseball outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Houston Astros and the Cincinnati Reds. Bourgeois would play all outfield positions and second base.

Key Information

Amateur career

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Born and raised in Houston, Texas, Bourgeois was teammates with fellow MLB outfielders Carl Crawford and Michael Bourn on a little league team that won the state championship. Bourgeois would later go on to attend Forest Brook High School. During his senior year at Forest Brook, Bourgeois hit .553 with four home runs, 43 RBI, and 24 stolen bases.[1][2]

Professional career

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Texas Rangers

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Bourgeois was drafted as a shortstop in the second round (56th overall) of the 2000 Major League Baseball draft by the Texas Rangers.[3] He played in the Rangers minor league system until 2004, reaching as high as Double-A.[4]

Atlanta Braves

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On March 23, 2005, the Atlanta Braves claimed Bourgeois off waivers from the Rangers.[5] He spent the entire season with the Triple-A Richmond Braves, batting .240 with two home runs and 16 RBI in 119 games.[4]

Seattle Mariners

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The Seattle Mariners selected Bourgeois in the Rule 5 Draft on December 8, 2005.[6] In 107 games with the Double-A San Antonio Missions, he batted .277 with four home runs and 38 RBI while stealing 23 bases in 30 attempts.[4] He would become a minor league free agent after the season.

Chicago White Sox

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On December 19, 2006, Bourgeois signed a contract with the Chicago White Sox.[7] He was recalled by the White Sox on September 6, 2008,[8] and made his major league debut on September 9 against the Toronto Blue Jays as a pinch runner.[9] Bourgeois is the last player to get his first major league hit at the original Yankee Stadium.[10]

Milwaukee Brewers

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On November 24, 2008, the Milwaukee Brewers signed Bourgeois to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training.[11] He was assigned to play for with the Triple-A Nashville Sounds of the Pacific Coast League. He would hit .189/.250/.270 in 24 games for Milwaukee in 2009,[12] but did hit his first big league home run off of the Pittsburgh Pirates' Zach Duke on August 28.[13]

On August 12, 2009, he was called to play for the Brewers to replace Bill Hall, who was designated for assignment.[14] This would be the first of two times that Bourgeois would replace Bill Hall on a Major League roster. The second came on June 4, 2011, when the Houston Astros released Hall after activating Bourgeois from the disabled list.[15]

Houston Astros

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Bourgeois was claimed off waivers by the Houston Astros on October 26, 2009.[16]

On January 20, 2010, Bourgeois, who was designated for assignment by the Astros, accepted his assignment to Triple A Round Rock after clearing waivers.[17][18]

On June 20, 2010, Bourgeois, Jason Castro and Chris Johnson were added to the major league roster and Casey Daigle, Cory Sullivan and Kevin Cash were designated for assignment.[19] Bourgeois played in 69 games for the Astros that year, batting .220 with 3 RBI.[12] He also made twelve starts in September and October after starting center fielder Michael Bourn was injured.[12]

On April 30, 2011, Bourgeois earned his first career walk-off win with a single to left field in the bottom of the ninth inning scoring Bill Hall (who pinch ran for Brett Wallace after he reached base on a walk earlier that inning) from second base to lead the Astros to a 2–1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers. Bourgeois had the other run in that game. Overall, it was a breakout game for Bourgeois, as he had a game-high three hits (two singles and a double). He also had two stolen bases (second and third consecutively) in the first inning, and would later come home and score a run that inning on a Hunter Pence RBI single.[20] Later that year on July 31, he would hit his second major league home run off of Chris Narveson and his former team, the Brewers.[21]

Kansas City Royals

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On March 20, 2012, Bourgeois was traded to the Kansas City Royals along with Humberto Quintero for minor leaguer Kevin Chapman and a player to be named later.[22] He appeared in 30 games for the Royals during the 2012 season, batting .258 with 5 RBI and five stolen bases.[12] Most of his season was spent with the Triple A affiliate Omaha Storm Chasers, where he had a .243 batting average with three home runs, 8 RBI and seven stolen bases in 60 games.[4] On November 2, 2012, the Royals designated Bourgeois for assignment.[23] After clearing waivers, he elected to become a free agent on November 12.[24]

Tampa Bay Rays

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On December 5, 2012, the Tampa Bay Rays signed Bourgeois to a minor league contract, with no guaranteed invite to Spring Training.[25] Bourgeois played most of his season with the Triple-A Durham Bulls, batting .290 with two home runs and 61 RBI in 90 games.[4] On August 14, playing only his sixth game for the Rays after being called up, Bourgeois hit a walk-off RBI single to help the Rays defeat the Seattle Mariners.[26] He was designated for assignment on August 23, 2013.[27]

Cincinnati Reds

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On November 5, 2013, Bourgeois signed with the Cincinnati Reds with an invite to Spring Training.[28] On September 1, 2014, the Reds selected Bourgeois' contract from the Triple-A Louisville Bats, and he hit .242/.265/.303 in 18 games.[12] Bourgeois would take on a larger role for Cincinnati during the 2015 season, hitting .240/.294/.332 with three home runs and 14 RBI in 68 games.[12]

Arizona Diamondbacks

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On December 23, 2015, Bourgeois signed a minor league deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks.[29] He began the season with the Triple-A Reno Aces, batting .356 with 9 RBI in 33 games.[4]

Chicago White Sox (second stint)

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Bourgeois was traded to the Chicago White Sox for cash considerations on May 16, 2016.[30] He was assigned to the Triple-A Charlotte Knights, where he hit .273 with three home runs and 38 RBI in 89 games to finish the season.[4] Bourgeois elected free agency following the season on November 7.[31]

On January 17, 2017, Bourgeois was re-signed by the White Sox to a minor league deal.[32] He returned to Charlotte for the year, playing in 68 contests and hitting .266/.303/.351 with 4 home runs and 24 RBI. He elected free agency following the season on November 6.[33]

Tigres de Quintana Roo

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On December 4, 2017, Bourgeois signed with the Tigres de Quintana Roo of the Mexican Baseball League. He was released on July 15, 2018.

Coaching career

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Los Angeles Dodgers

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On January 16, 2019, Bourgeois was announced as an assistant coach for the Great Lakes Loons in the Los Angeles Dodgers farm system.[34]

Chicago White Sox

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On November 7, 2023, Bourgeois was named as the first base/outfield coach for the Chicago White Sox. [35] He was let go by the White Sox following the 2025 season.[36]

Personal life

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Bourgeois is married to American singer and Sony ATV songwriter Coline Creuzot. The couple had their first child in 2015.[37]

References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Jason Bourgeois (born January 4, 1982) is an American professional baseball coach and former who played in (MLB) for eight seasons from 2008 to 2015. Standing at 5 feet 9 inches and batting right-handed, Bourgeois was known for his speed on the basepaths, amassing 54 stolen bases over his career with a .253 in 317 games. Drafted by the Texas Rangers in the second round of the 2000 MLB Draft out of Forest Brook High School in , Bourgeois debuted with the in 2008 before playing for five other teams: the Milwaukee Brewers, Astros, , , and . His most notable season came in 2011 with the Astros, where he appeared in 93 games, hit .294, and stole 31 bases. Primarily a utility and , Bourgeois also spent significant time in the , including stints with the Rangers' and White Sox's affiliates, before transitioning to coaching following the 2018 season. Transitioning to coaching, Bourgeois joined the organization in 2019 as an assistant coach at , later serving as their outfield and baserunning coordinator from 2021 to 2023. He then moved to the as their first base and outfield coach for the 2024 and 2025 seasons. In November 2025, Bourgeois was hired by the Baltimore Orioles as their first base coach for the 2026 season, replacing Anthony Sanders and reuniting with former colleague Craig Albernaz on the staff.

Early life and amateur career

Early life

Jason Bourgeois was born on January 4, 1982, in , . Raised in East , he participated in , where he was teammates with and on the same youth team at Smokey Jasper Park, coached by Raymond Bourn. These early experiences in Houston's youth baseball scene provided Bourgeois with initial exposure to organized play and teamwork. This early foundation in Little League transitioned into his high school pursuits.

High school career

Bourgeois attended Forest Brook High School in , , where he played as a known for his speed and defensive range. As an early indicator of his talent, he had played on a Little League team in East Houston with future players and , which won five state championships. During his senior year in 2000, Bourgeois posted an impressive .553 , along with 4 home runs, 43 runs batted in, and 24 stolen bases, showcasing his contact hitting, power, and base-stealing ability. These performances, combined with his athleticism and fielding skills, earned him recognition as a highly touted prospect, positioning him for selection in the 2000 MLB Draft.

Professional career

Texas Rangers organization (2000–2004)

Bourgeois was selected by the Texas Rangers in the second round, 56th overall, of the 2000 Major League Baseball June Amateur Draft out of Forest Brook High School in , , where his speed and defensive skills as a had marked him as a top prospect. He signed with the Rangers for a $621,000 bonus and was assigned to the rookie-level Gulf Coast League Rangers, where he appeared in 24 games, batting .239 with nine stolen bases. In 2001, Bourgeois advanced to the rookie with the Pulaski Rangers, enjoying a breakout season in 62 games with a .311 and 21 stolen bases, showcasing his baserunning prowess. The following year, he progressed to full-season ball, spending most of 2002 with the Single-A of the , where he batted .255 and stole 22 bases over 127 games, before a late-season promotion to the Charlotte Rangers of the , appearing in nine games. Bourgeois continued his development in 2003, starting at with the Stockton Ports of the , where he hit .329 with 16 stolen bases in 69 games, earning recognition as the Rangers' No. 11 prospect by Baseball America. He was then promoted to Double-A Frisco of the in midseason, batting .252 in 55 games with three stolen bases. In 2004, Bourgeois spent the entire season with the , playing a career-high 138 games and leading the team with 30 stolen bases while batting .255, contributing to Frisco's championship. Following the season, he was placed on waivers and claimed by the organization in March 2005.

Atlanta Braves and Seattle Mariners organizations (2005–2007)

Following his time in the Texas Rangers organization, Bourgeois was claimed off waivers by the from the Rangers on March 23, 2005, and added to the Braves' 40-man roster. He spent the entire 2005 season with the Braves' Triple-A affiliate, the Richmond Braves of the , where he appeared in 119 games primarily at second base while transitioning to some duties. Batting .240 with 8 stolen bases, Bourgeois showcased his speed but struggled offensively in his first year at the highest level, hitting just 3 home runs and driving in 31 runs over 388 at-bats. On December 8, 2005, the Seattle Mariners selected Bourgeois from the Braves in the , requiring them to keep him on their major league roster or offer him back if returned to the minors. Instead, the Mariners optioned him to their Double-A affiliate, the of the , for the 2006 season, where he played 107 games across multiple positions including second base, center field, and left field. Bourgeois batted .277 with 23 stolen bases, 4 home runs, and 35 RBI in 411 at-bats, demonstrating improved plate discipline with a .333 while adapting to a more versatile role in to leverage his baserunning skills. Bourgeois's frequent organizational changes highlighted the challenges of progression, including positional shifts from and second base to roles amid competition for infield spots. After the 2006 season, he was granted free agency by the Mariners on October 15, 2006, becoming eligible for the again due to his status and age, which ultimately led to his signing with the on December 19, 2006.

Chicago White Sox (2008)

Bourgeois signed with the as a on December 19, 2006. He spent most of the 2008 season with the White Sox's Triple-A affiliate, the , before earning a call-up to the majors in . Bourgeois made his MLB debut on September 9, 2008, entering as a for in the eighth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Guaranteed Rate Field (then U.S. Cellular Field). Over the remainder of the season, he appeared in six games as a utility and , often utilized for his speed and defensive versatility in . In limited opportunities, Bourgeois recorded one hit in three at-bats for a .333 , along with no stolen bases or RBIs. His first MLB hit was a double off New York Yankees reliever Chris Britton on September 18, 2008, at the original , marking him as the last player to achieve a first career hit in that historic venue. Following the 2008 campaign, the White Sox granted Bourgeois free agency on October 17, 2008, ending his initial stint with the organization.

Milwaukee Brewers (2009)

Bourgeois signed a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers on November 25, 2008. After spending the early 2009 season with the Brewers' Triple-A affiliate Nashville Sounds, where he demonstrated his speed with 36 stolen bases in 105 games, Bourgeois was called up to the majors on August 12 when the Brewers purchased his contract from Nashville. In 24 major league games that year, he batted .189 (7-for-37) with one , three RBI, and three stolen bases, serving as a utility capable of playing all three positions. Bourgeois's speed and defensive versatility contributed to the Brewers' depth during their NL Central campaign, in which the team finished third with 80 wins, 6 games behind the division-winning Cardinals.

Houston Astros (2010–2012)

Bourgeois entered the 2012 season with the Astros, his hometown team, after agreeing to a one-year pre-arbitration contract worth $423,000 in the 2011 offseason. As a speedy from Forest Brook High School in , he was tabbed as the everyday , building on the base-stealing prowess he had shown earlier in his career with the Brewers organization. His local ties fostered a strong fan connection, with Bourgeois actively participating in community events and embodying the hometown hero narrative for Astros supporters. However, Bourgeois's time with the Astros in 2012 proved short-lived. On March 20, during , the Astros traded him along with Humberto Quintero to the in exchange for relief pitcher and a (later identified as minor leaguer D'Andre Toney). The move came as part of Houston's roster reshaping ahead of their inaugural season in the , with stepping in as the primary . Bourgeois did not appear in any regular-season games for the Astros that year, ending his two-season stint with the club where he had previously posted a .269 and 43 stolen bases across 162 games from 2010 to 2011.

Kansas City Royals and Tampa Bay Rays (2013)

After the trade to the on March 20, 2012, Bourgeois spent most of the season with Triple-A before a call-up, appearing in 17 MLB games with a .205 . He was in November 2012 and elected free agency. Bourgeois entered the 2013 season with the on a minor league contract signed in December 2012. He began the year with the Rays' Triple-A affiliate, the of the , where he appeared in 90 games, batting .290 with five home runs, 61 RBI, and a league-leading 31 stolen bases among position players. On August 6, 2013, the Rays purchased Bourgeois's contract from Durham and added him to their active roster to fill the void left by , who was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a fractured left sustained during a game against the Detroit Tigers. In his brief major league stint amid the Rays' late-season playoff push—culminating in a wild card berth—Bourgeois served as a utility , providing speed and defensive versatility off the bench. Over nine games with , Bourgeois went 3-for-16 (.188 ) with one , two RBI, two runs scored, and one walk, posting an of .278 and of .375. His lone was a solo on August 10 against the Philadelphia Phillies, and his most notable contribution came on August 7, when he delivered a pinch-hit, bases-loaded walk-off single in the ninth inning to secure a 5-4 victory over the . Despite his reputation for base-stealing—rooted in prior outfield experience with the Astros—Bourgeois did not record a during this limited appearance. Bourgeois was by the Rays on August 23 to make room for Kelly Johnson, and he cleared waivers before being outrighted to Durham on August 25. He elected free agency on October 9 after the season.

Later stints with Reds, Diamondbacks, and White Sox (2015)

After spending two seasons away from , Jason Bourgeois signed with the in November 2013 ahead of the 2014 season, spending most of 2014 in Triple-A with the before a September call-up without appearing in any MLB games. He began the year with the Triple-A , batting .309 in 14 games before being placed on the 60-day disabled list in April due to a injury. Bourgeois was activated on June 28 and called up to the Reds shortly thereafter, marking his attempt at a major league comeback as a versatile known for his speed. In 68 games with the Reds, Bourgeois primarily served as a reserve and , posting a .240 with 47 hits, three home runs, 14 RBI, and three stolen bases in 196 at-bats. His defensive contributions included 48 appearances, mostly in center field, while his on-base percentage of .294 reflected occasional utility in getting on base for the bottom of the lineup. Notable moments included a two-run on August 11 against the San Diego Padres, helping fuel a late-inning rally, and a solo shot on September 18 versus the Brewers. These performances highlighted his lingering speed and gap power, though his overall impact was limited by the Reds' rebuilding phase and his age of 33. Bourgeois's final major league appearance came on October 4, 2015, in a 4-0 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park, where he went 1-for-4 as the center fielder. This outing concluded his 10-year MLB career, during which he had last played regularly in 2013. Following the season, he was outrighted to the minors on October 30 and elected free agency on November 6. On December 11, Bourgeois signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks, setting the stage for further minor league play in 2016 before a midseason trade to the Chicago White Sox organization.

Tigres de Quintana Roo (2018)

Following his final major league appearances in 2015, where he struggled with a limited role and batting average below .200 across stints with three teams, Jason Bourgeois sought to extend his playing career internationally. On December 4, 2017, Bourgeois signed as a with the Tigres de Quintana Roo of the Mexican League ahead of the 2018 season, joining the Triple-A level circuit as an known for his speed and versatility. He was activated from the reserve list on March 22, 2018, and appeared in 11 games for the Tigres, primarily in center field and as a , emphasizing his baserunning skills. In limited action, Bourgeois recorded 11 hits in 44 at-bats for a .250 , along with three stolen bases, three doubles, and three RBI, while drawing five walks for a .340 ; his stood at .318 over 50 plate appearances. The Tigres released him on July 15, 2018, after he played sparingly amid a competitive roster and the team's push for a postseason berth. Bourgeois's stint with the Tigres marked the end of his professional playing career, as he chose to retire following the 2018 season to transition into coaching roles within organized baseball.

Coaching career

Los Angeles Dodgers organization (2019–2023)

Following his retirement from professional baseball, Jason Bourgeois transitioned to coaching within the Los Angeles Dodgers organization in 2019, where he was hired as an assistant coach for the Single-A Great Lakes Loons. Bourgeois's responsibilities centered on outfield instruction and baserunning, areas where he drew upon his expertise as a speedy who stole 54 bases in and 383 in the minors during his playing career. In this introductory role under manager John Shoemaker, he supported the development of young prospects through targeted hitting and defensive drills. During his first season with the Loons, Bourgeois helped foster growth among the team's emerging talent, contributing to an 81–55 regular-season record that secured a playoff berth in the . The Loons advanced to the series, showcasing the foundational progress of players under the staff's guidance in a competitive affiliate system. Bourgeois continued with the Dodgers organization through 2023, serving in player development roles. He was promoted to minor league outfield and baserunning coordinator in 2021, a position he held until 2023.

Chicago White Sox (2024–2025)

In November 2023, Jason Bourgeois was hired by the Chicago White Sox as their first base and outfield coach, marking his transition to a major league coaching role following five years in player development with the Los Angeles Dodgers organization. In this position, Bourgeois was responsible for overseeing baserunning decisions from the first base coaching box and developing outfielders' defensive positioning, route running, and arm strength during drills and games. His prior experience as the Dodgers' outfield and baserunning coordinator from 2021 to 2023 provided a foundation for emphasizing efficient base advancement and outfield play within the White Sox system. Bourgeois's tenure coincided with difficult seasons for the White Sox, who finished 41–121 in 2024 (the worst record in modern MLB history) and 60–102 in 2025. Despite the team's overall struggles, including last-place finishes in the American League Central each year, there were measurable improvements in baserunning efficiency. The White Sox recorded 89 stolen bases at a 72.4% success rate (89 SB, 34 CS) in 2024, rising to 85 stolen bases at an 80.2% success rate (85 SB, 21 CS) in 2025, ranking sixth in MLB for success percentage that year. Center fielder Luis Robert Jr., a key outfield talent under Bourgeois's guidance, exemplified this progress with 23 stolen bases (79.2% success) in 2024 and 33 stolen bases (80.5% success) in 2025, contributing to the team's aggressive approach on the bases amid roster rebuilding efforts. Following the 2025 season, the White Sox underwent significant staff restructuring under general manager , opting not to renew Bourgeois's contract along with those of pitching coach Ethan Katz, hitting coach , and catching coach . This move came after the team showed modest gains, including a 19-win improvement from 2024 to 2025, but still fell short of competitive contention.

Baltimore Orioles (2026–present)

On November 10, 2025, the Baltimore Orioles hired Jason Bourgeois as their first base coach for the 2026 season, replacing Anthony Sanders who had departed for the Detroit Tigers. This move reunites Bourgeois with Orioles manager Craig Albernaz, his former teammate from the 2013 Triple-A . In his role, Bourgeois oversees first-base activities, including signaling to baserunners and managing on-base decisions to optimize aggressive play. Drawing from his prior experience as first base and outfield coach with the in 2024–2025, he emphasizes baserunning techniques, outfield positioning, and coordination during infield-outfield drills to refine defensive transitions. His playing background, highlighted by a 78.3% success rate on stolen bases (54 of 69 attempts) across eight MLB seasons, informs a focus on efficient base stealing and sprint fundamentals. Bourgeois is expected to leverage his expertise to support ' young roster in maintaining AL East contention starting in 2026, particularly by improving baserunning efficiency for emerging talents like and . The team, which ranked 18th in baserunning runs (BsR) per despite top-five sprint speed in 2025, anticipates his guidance will boost success and overall offensive aggression.

Personal life

Family

Jason Bourgeois is married to Coline Creuzot, an American singer and ATV songwriter also born and raised in . The couple welcomed their first child in 2015. Their roots have kept the family connected to the area despite Bourgeois's extensive travels during his career.

Residence and community ties

Jason Bourgeois, born and raised in , , has deep-rooted connections to the city as a lifelong resident and former Houston Astros outfielder from 2010 to 2011. A product of the local youth baseball scene, he grew up playing Little League alongside future major leaguers and before attending Forest Brook High School in Houston, where he was drafted by the Texas Rangers in 2000. Bourgeois has actively contributed to Houston's community through baseball-related initiatives, particularly supporting youth development. In , as an Astros player, he hosted the inaugural Jason Bourgeois Youth Sports Golf Classic at the Golf Course to raise funds for local programs. He also participated in Astros community events, such as coaching children in hitting, running, and pitching drills at the Minute Maid Park Community Corner program alongside teammates Jason Castro and . These efforts reflect his ongoing commitment to fostering baseball interest among Houston's young athletes, earning recognition through the Players Alumni Association's Heart & Hustle Award for exemplary community involvement. With family based in the area, Bourgeois maintained his primary residence there even during coaching stints elsewhere, including his role as first base and outfield coach for the from 2024 to 2025. However, following his hiring by the as first base coach on November 10, 2025, for the 2026 season, he is set to relocate to the region to begin building new community ties aligned with his professional responsibilities.

References

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