Alex Presley

{{Infobox baseball biography

| name = Alex Presley

| image = Alex Presley Astros May 2014.jpg

| caption = Presley with the Houston Astros

| position = Outfielder

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1985|7|25}}

| birth_place = Monroe, Louisiana, U.S.

| bats = Left

| throws = Left

| debutleague = MLB

| debutdate = September 8

| debutyear = 2010

| debutteam = Pittsburgh Pirates

|finalleague = MLB

|finaldate=October 1

|finalyear=2017

|finalteam=Detroit Tigers

| statleague = MLB

| stat1label = Batting average

| stat1value = .263

| stat2label = Home runs

| stat2value = 29

| stat3label = Runs batted in

| stat3value = 111

| teams =

Pittsburgh Pirates ({{mlby|2010}}–{{mlby|2013}})
Minnesota Twins ({{mlby|2013}})
Houston Astros ({{mlby|2014}}–{{mlby|2015}})
Milwaukee Brewers ({{mlby|2016}})
Detroit Tigers ({{mlby|2016}}–{{mlby|2017}})

}}

Alexander Crawford Presley (born July 25, 1985) is an American former Major League Baseball (MLB) outfielder who played for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Minnesota Twins, Houston Astros, Milwaukee Brewers, and Detroit Tigers from 2010 to 2017.

Early and personal life

Presley was born on July 25, 1985, in Monroe, Louisiana. He graduated from Neville High School and attended the University of Mississippi. In 2005, he played collegiate summer baseball for the Chatham A's of the Cape Cod Baseball League and was named a league all-star.{{cite web|author= |url=http://capecodbaseball.org.ismmedia.com/ISM3/std-content/repos/Top/2012website/archives/Current%20Year/All_Time_MLB_CCBL_Alumni.pdf |title=Major League Baseball Players From the Cape Cod League |publisher=capecodbaseball.org |date= |access-date=January 9, 2020}}{{cite web|url=http://www.thebaseballcube.com/college/summer/stats.asp?Y=2005&T=Chatham%20As&View= |title=2005 Chatham As |publisher=thebaseballcube.com |accessdate=September 23, 2021}}{{cite web|url=http://capecodbaseball.org/news/asgnews/index.html?article_id=500 |title=CCBL East All-Star Roster |publisher=capecodbaseball.org |access-date=May 6, 2020}}

Professional career

=Pittsburgh Pirates=

Presley was selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 8th round (230th overall) of the 2006 MLB Draft. Presley started his professional career with the Williamsport Crosscutters in 2006. He played for the Hickory Crawdads in 2007. Presley spent the 2008 and 2009 seasons with the Lynchburg Hillcats.

Presley was promoted to the major leagues for the first time on September 8, 2010,{{cite news| url=http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10249/1085538-100.stm | work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette | title=Pirates' eight call-ups including Moss, Presley | date=September 6, 2010}}{{cite web |url=http://pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100906&content_id=14364246¬ebook_id=14375674&vkey=notebook_pit&fext=.jsp&c_id=pit|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120930074544/http://pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100906&content_id=14364246¬ebook_id=14375674&vkey=notebook_pit&fext=.jsp&c_id=pit|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 30, 2012|title=Lincoln among players recalled by Bucs}} and made his MLB debut the same day, getting his first major league hit off Atlanta Braves pitcher Cristhian Martínez.

He started the 2011 season with the Pirates' AAA team, the Indianapolis Indians. Presley was leading the Indians with a .336 batting average with eight home runs and 36 RBI[https://web.archive.org/web/20140826161651/http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=t_ibp&cid=484&stn=true&sid=t484&y=2011 MiLB.com retrieved 6/27/2011] when he was called up to MLB Pittsburgh on June 27, 2011.{{cite web |url=http://pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110627&content_id=21069128&vkey=news_pit&c_id=pit|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110701073424/http://pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110627&content_id=21069128&vkey=news_pit&c_id=pit|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 1, 2011|title=Tabata diagnosed with left quad strain}}

His .336 batting average was also the third-best in the International League at the time of his call up.{{cite web|url=http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/s_744363.html|title=Patience pays for Pirates outfielder Presley|access-date=2011-06-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110704005116/http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/sports/s_744363.html|archive-date=2011-07-04|url-status=dead}}

Presley hit his first home run on June 27, 2010, against Billy Buckner of the Toledo Mud Hens, and also posted the Indians first-ever cycle on the same day.

On April 7, 2012, Presley hit his first walk-off hit—an infield single off of Joe Blanton in the 10th inning, scoring Michael McKenry to give the Pirates a 2-1 win over the Phillies. Presley went 2-for-5 in the game.{{cite web |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2012_04_07_phimlb_pitmlb_1&mode=recap&c_id=pit |title=Presley legs out wild win for Bucs in 10 |work=MLB.com |first=Tom |last=Singer |date=April 7, 2012}}

File:Alex Presley on June 12, 2012 (2).jpg

Presley was recalled by the Pirates from Indianapolis on May 31, 2013.{{cite web|url=http://rumbunter.com/2013/05/31/pirates-send-josh-harrison-back-to-indianapolis-recall-alex-presley/|title=Pirates Send Josh Harrison Back To Indianapolis, Recall Alex Presley|date=May 31, 2013|access-date=May 31, 2013}} He had a game-winning, walk-off single against the St. Louis Cardinals on July 30, 2013, giving the Pirates the division lead.{{Cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2013_07_30_slnmlb_pitmlb_1&mode=box|title = Cardinals 1, Pirates 2 (Final Score) on MLB Gameday}}

=Minnesota Twins=

On August 31, 2013, Presley was traded to the Minnesota Twins in exchange for Justin Morneau.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/9619812/minnesota-twins-trade-justin-morneau-pittsburgh-pirates|title=Pirates trade Alex Presley to the Twins for Justin Morneau|publisher=ESPN|date=September 1, 2013|access-date=May 6, 2016}}

=Houston Astros=

On March 27, 2014, Presley was claimed off waivers by the Houston Astros. In 89 appearances for the Astros, Presley batted .244 to go along with 6 home runs and 19 RBIs. On November 18, 2014, the Astros resigned Presley on a 1-year contract.{{Cite web|url=http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/11/18/astros-sign-alex-presley-to-one-year-deal-avoid-arbitration/|title=Astros sign Alex Presley to one-year deal, avoid arbitration|date=18 November 2014}} He was designated for assignment on April 1, 2015, but had his contract purchased on July 2, 2015. He was designated for assignment again on July 18.

=Milwaukee Brewers=

On December 14, 2015, Presley signed a minor league deal with the Milwaukee Brewers.{{cite web|url=http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/12/nationals-sign-masset-brewers-sign-alex-presley.html|last=Todd|first=Jeff|title=Brewers sign Alex Presley|publisher=MLB Trade Rumors|date=December 14, 2015|access-date=May 6, 2016}} Presley was one of nine players competing to be the Brewers center fielder for the 2016 season.{{cite web|url=http://m.brewers.mlb.com/news/article/165355808/nine-brewers-competing-for-center-field-job|title=Nine Brewers competing for Center Field job|work=MLB.com|access-date=May 6, 2016|archive-date=August 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819174136/http://m.brewers.mlb.com/news/article/165355808/nine-brewers-competing-for-center-field-job/|url-status=dead}} On April 2, 2016, Presley was informed he would not make the Brewers Opening Day roster and was subsequently optioned to the minors.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/brewers-alex-presley-will-not-make-brewers-roster/|title=Presley will not make Brewers roster, optioned to minors|work=CBS Sports|date=April 2, 2016|access-date=May 6, 2016}} On April 21, 2016, Presley had his contract purchased by the Brewers.{{cite web|url=http://www.brewcrewball.com/2016/4/21/11476848/tyler-cravy-optioned-to-triple-a-alex-presley-reported-call-up|title=Brewers call up Alex Presley|date=April 21, 2016|access-date=May 6, 2016}} Presley was released after he rejected an outright assignment.

=Detroit Tigers=

On August 18, 2016, the Tigers purchased Presley's contract from the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens.{{cite web|url=http://www.freep.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2016/08/18/detroit-tigers-alex-presley/88939200/|title=Tigers call up OF Alex Presley from Toledo, designate Bobby Parnell|last=Sipple|first=George|newspaper=Detroit Free Press|date=August 18, 2016|access-date=August 18, 2016}} On December 19, 2016, Presley signed a minor league contract with the Tigers that included an invitation to spring training.{{cite web|url=http://m.tigers.mlb.com/news/article/211840960/outfielder-alex-presley-re-signs-with-tigers/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220221000/http://m.tigers.mlb.com/news/article/211840960/outfielder-alex-presley-re-signs-with-tigers/|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 20, 2016|title=Tigers bring back Presley on Minor League deal|last=Beck|first=Jason|work=MLB.com|date=December 19, 2016|access-date=December 19, 2016}} On May 28, 2017, the Tigers again purchased Presley's contract from Toledo and added him to the starting lineup that day.{{Cite news|url=http://www.freep.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2017/05/28/detroit-tigers-moves/352238001/|title=Tigers call up Alex Presley, designate Tyler Collins for assignment|work=Detroit Free Press|access-date=2017-05-28|language=en}} Presley enjoyed a strong season with the 2017 Tigers, hitting .314 in 71 games while playing all three outfield positions. He was outrighted to Triple-A on November 2, 2017, and elected free agency on November 7.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/11/minor-mlb-transactions-11717-2.html|title=Minor MLB Transactions: 11/7/17|last=Todd|first=Jeff|work=mlbtraderumors.com|date=November 7, 2017|access-date=November 7, 2017}}

=Baltimore Orioles=

On February 19, 2018, Presley signed a minor league contract with the Baltimore Orioles.{{cite web|title=Orioles address left-handed bat need by signing outfielder Alex Presley|website=BaltimoreSun.com|date=February 19, 2018|author=Encina, Eduardo A.|url=http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bs-sp-orioles-presley-20180219-story.html|access-date=February 19, 2018|archive-date=February 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180219210736/http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/blog/bs-sp-orioles-presley-20180219-story.html|url-status=dead}} In 26 games for the Triple–A Norfolk Tides, he batted .275/.347/.367 with one home run and eight RBI. On May 18, Presley was released by the Orioles organization.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/05/alex-presley-opt-out-clause-orioles.html|title=Alex Presley Granted Release by Orioles|last=Adams|first=Steve|work=mlbtraderumors.com|date=May 18, 2018|access-date=May 18, 2018}}

=Chicago White Sox=

On May 23, 2018, Presley signed a minor league deal with the Chicago White Sox. He was assigned to the Triple–A Charlotte Knights.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/05/white-sox-sign-alex-presley.html|title=White Sox Sign Alex Presley|last=Todd|first=Jeff|work=mlbtraderumors.com|date=May 23, 2018|access-date=May 23, 2018}} He was released by the White Sox on June 29, 2018