Jason Bourgeois

{{Infobox baseball biography|

|name=Jason Bourgeois

|image=Jason Bourgeois on April 3, 2010.jpg

|caption=Bourgeois with the Houston Astros in 2010

|position=Outfielder / First base coach

|team=Chicago White Sox

|number=38

|bats=Right

|throws=Right

|birth_date={{birth date and age|1982|1|4}}

|birth_place=Houston, Texas, U.S.

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate=September 9

|debutyear=2008

|debutteam=Chicago White Sox

|finalleague=MLB

|finaldate=October 4

|finalyear=2015

|finalteam=Cincinnati Reds

|statleague = MLB

|stat1label=Batting average

|stat1value=.253

|stat2label=Home runs

|stat2value=6

|stat3label=Runs batted in

|stat3value=44

|stat4label=Stolen bases

|stat4value=54

|teams=

As player

Chicago White Sox ({{mlby|2008}})
Milwaukee Brewers ({{mlby|2009}})
Houston Astros ({{mlby|2010}}–{{mlby|2011}})
Kansas City Royals ({{mlby|2012}})
Tampa Bay Rays ({{mlby|2013}})
Cincinnati Reds ({{mlby|2014}}–{{mlby|2015}})

As coach

Chicago White Sox ({{mlby|2024}}–present)

}}

Jason Jerrod Bourgeois ({{respell|booj|wa}}; born January 4, 1982) is an American former professional baseball outfielder & current first base coach with the Chicago White Sox. He played eight seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB), with two seasons each for the Houston Astros and the Cincinnati Reds. Bourgeois would play all outfield positions and second base in MLB.

Amateur career

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.{{Cite web |last=Justice |first=Richard |date=June 24, 2010 |title=Justice: Bourgeois gets a shot with hometown team |url=https://www.chron.com/sports/astros/article/Justice-Bourgeois-gets-a-shot-with-hometown-team-1716772.php |access-date=June 24, 2010 |website=Houston Chronicle}}{{Cite web |title=Baseball America Online - Draft 2000 |url=http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/draft/prospects/jbourgeois.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160401045833/http://www.baseballamerica.com/online/draft/prospects/jbourgeois.html |archive-date=April 1, 2016 |access-date=March 18, 2016 |website=Baseball America}}

Professional career

=Texas Rangers=

Bourgeois was drafted as a shortstop in the second round (56th overall) of the 2000 Major League Baseball draft by the Texas Rangers.{{Cite web |title=2nd Round of the 2000 MLB June Amateur Draft |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/draft/ |access-date=October 24, 2022 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}} He played in the Rangers minor league system until 2004, reaching as high as Double-A.{{Cite web |title=Jason Bourgeois Minor, Fall & Winter Leagues Statistics |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=bourge001jas |access-date=October 24, 2022 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}

=Atlanta Braves=

On March 23, 2005, the Atlanta Braves claimed Bourgeois off waivers from the Rangers.{{Cite web |date=March 25, 2005 |title=THOMSON NOT AS SHARP IN 5TH START |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/os-xpm-2005-03-25-0503250179-story.html |access-date=October 24, 2022 |website=Orlando Sentinel}} He spent the entire season with the Triple-A Richmond Braves, batting .240 with two home runs and 16 RBI in 119 games.

=Seattle Mariners=

The Seattle Mariners selected Bourgeois in the Rule 5 Draft on December 8, 2005.{{Cite web |date=December 8, 2005 |title=Selection list of the 2005 Rule 5 Draft |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/content/printer_friendly/mlb/y2005/m12/d08/c1279235.jsp |access-date=October 24, 2022 |website=MLB.com |publisher=MLB Advanced Media}} 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. He would become a minor league free agent after the season.

=Chicago White Sox=

On December 19, 2006, Bourgeois signed a contract with the Chicago White Sox.{{Cite web |last=Winston |first=Lisa |date=July 11, 2007 |title=Perspective: Bourgeois bundles utility for Sox |url=http://www.milb.com/gen/articles/printer_friendly/milb/y2007/m07/d11/c273310.jsp |access-date=October 24, 2022 |website=Minor League Baseball}}{{dead link|date=March 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} He was recalled by the White Sox on September 6, {{mlby|2008}},{{Cite web |date=September 6, 2008 |title=White Sox purchase contract of OF Jason Bourgeois from Triple-A Charlotte |url=http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20080906&content_id=3428475&vkey=pr_cws&fext=.jsp&c_id=cws |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080909075153/http://chicago.whitesox.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20080906&content_id=3428475&vkey=pr_cws&fext=.jsp&c_id=cws |archive-date=September 9, 2008 |access-date=October 24, 2022 |website=Chicago White Sox |publisher=MLB.com}} and made his major league debut on September 9 against the Toronto Blue Jays as a pinch runner.{{Cite web |date=September 9, 2008 |title=Toronto Blue Jays at Chicago White Sox Box Score, September 9, 2008 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHA/CHA200809091.shtml |access-date=October 24, 2022 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}} Bourgeois is the last player to get his first major league hit at the original Yankee Stadium.{{Cite web |date=September 18, 2008 |title=Chicago White Sox at New York Yankees Box Score, September 18, 2008 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYA/NYA200809180.shtml |access-date=October 24, 2022 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}

=Milwaukee Brewers=

On November 24, 2008, the Milwaukee Brewers signed Bourgeois to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training.{{Cite web |last=Groshan |first=Derek |date=November 25, 2008 |title=Brewers Make A Pair Of Minor Signings |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/86008-brewers-make-a-pair-of-minor-signings |access-date=October 24, 2022 |website=Bleacher Report |language=en}} 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,{{Cite web |title=Jason Bourgeois Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/bourgja01.shtml |access-date=October 24, 2022 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}} but did hit his first big league home run off of the Pittsburgh Pirates' Zach Duke on August 28.{{Cite web |date=August 28, 2009 |title=Brewers win 19th consecutive game against Pirates at Miller Park |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/290828108 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024231826/https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/290828108 |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 24, 2022 |access-date=October 24, 2022 |website=ESPN |publisher=Associated Press |language=en}}

On August 12, 2009, he was called to play for the Brewers to replace Bill Hall, who was designated for assignment.{{cite web |last=McCalvy |first=Adam |date=August 12, 2009 |title=Brewers make flurry of moves |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090812&content_id=6386934&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090815134422/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090812&content_id=6386934&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb |archive-date=August 15, 2009 |access-date=August 15, 2009 |website=Milwaukee Brewers |publisher=MLB.com}} 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.{{Cite web |last=Nicholson-Smith |first=Ben |date=June 4, 2011 |title=Astros Release Bill Hall |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/06/astros-release-bill-hall.html |access-date=October 24, 2022 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en-US}}

=Houston Astros=

Bourgeois was claimed off waivers by the Houston Astros on October 26, 2009.{{Cite web |last=Hochschild |first=Evan |date=October 26, 2009 |title=Astros claim OF Jason Bourgeois off waivers from Milwaukee |url=https://www.crawfishboxes.com/2009/10/26/1101735/astros-claim-of-jason-bourgeois |access-date=October 24, 2022 |website=The Crawfish Boxes |publisher=SB Nation |language=en}}

On January 20, 2010, Bourgeois, who was designated for assignment by the Astros, accepted his assignment to Triple A Round Rock after clearing waivers.{{Cite web |last=Dierkes |first=Tim |date=January 13, 2010 |title=Astros Designate Jason Bourgeois For Assignment |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2010/01/astros-designate-jason-bourgeois-for-assignment.html |access-date=October 24, 2022 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last= |date=January 20, 2010 |title=Astros get their veteran lefty outfielder and keep Bourgeois |url=https://www.crawfishboxes.com/2010/1/20/1262546/astros-get-their-veteran-lefty |access-date=October 24, 2022 |website=The Crawfish Boxes |publisher=SB Nation |language=en}}

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.{{Cite web |last=McTaggart |first=Brian |date=June 20, 2010 |title=Astros call up top prospect Castro |url=http://houston.astros.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100620&content_id=11417960&vkey=news_hou&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100625012909/http://houston.astros.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100620&content_id=11417960&vkey=news_hou&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou |archive-date=June 25, 2010 |access-date=October 24, 2022 |website=Houston Astros |publisher=MLB.com}} Bourgeois played in 69 games for the Astros that year, batting .220 with 3 RBI. He also made twelve starts in September and October after starting center fielder Michael Bourn was injured.

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.{{Cite web |date=April 30, 2011 |title=Astros waste Wandy Rodriguez's effort but dump Brewers in 9th |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/310430118 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024231828/https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/310430118 |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 24, 2022 |access-date=October 24, 2022 |website=ESPN |publisher=Associated Press |language=en}} 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.{{Cite web |date=July 31, 2011 |title=Prince Fielder breaks tie in eighth as Brewers sweep Astros |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/310731108 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024231829/https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/310731108 |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 24, 2022 |access-date=October 24, 2022 |website=ESPN |publisher=Associated Press |language=en}}

=Kansas City Royals=

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.{{cite web |last=McTaggart |first=Brian |date=March 20, 2012 |title=Astros trade catcher Humberto Quintero, center fielder Jason Bourgeois to Royals |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120320&content_id=27437110&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111235424/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120320&content_id=27437110&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb |archive-date=November 11, 2013 |access-date=November 11, 2013 |website=MLB.com |publisher=MLB Advanced Media}} He appeared in 30 games for the Royals during the 2012 season, batting .258 with 5 RBI and five stolen bases. 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. On November 2, 2012, the Royals designated Bourgeois for assignment.{{cite web |date=November 2, 2012 |title=Royals claim RHP Moscoso, C Hayes off waivers |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/washington/royals-claim-rhp-moscoso-c-hayes-waivers |access-date=October 24, 2022 |website=NBC Sports |publisher=Associated Press}} After clearing waivers, he elected to become a free agent on November 12.{{Cite web |last=Nicholson-Smith |first=Ben |date=November 12, 2012 |title=Minor Moves: Rangers, Bourgeois, Hill |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/11/tigers-sign-shawn-hill.html |access-date=October 24, 2022 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en-US}}

=Tampa Bay Rays=

On December 5, 2012, the Tampa Bay Rays signed Bourgeois to a minor league contract, with no guaranteed invite to Spring Training.{{cite web |last=Silva |first=Drew |date=December 6, 2012 |title=Rays sign outfielder Jason Bourgeois to minors deal |url=http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/12/06/rays-sign-outfielder-jason-bourgeois-to-minors-deal/ |access-date=December 6, 2012 |website=NBC Sports}} Bourgeois played most of his season with the Triple-A Durham Bulls, batting .290 with two home runs and 61 RBI in 90 games. 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.{{cite web |date=August 15, 2013 |title=Rays rally in 9th to beat Seattle, end 6-game skid |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/rays-rally-9th-beat-seattle-025757233--mlb.html |access-date=August 15, 2013 |website=Yahoo! Sports |publisher=Associated Press |archive-date=August 18, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130818032212/http://sports.yahoo.com/news/rays-rally-9th-beat-seattle-025757233--mlb.html |url-status=dead }} He was designated for assignment on August 23, 2013.{{Cite web |last=Links |first=Zachary |date=August 23, 2013 |title=Rays Designate Jason Bourgeois For Assignment |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2013/08/rays-designate-jason-bourgeois-for-assignment.html |access-date=October 24, 2022 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en-US}}

=Cincinnati Reds=

On November 5, 2013, Bourgeois signed with the Cincinnati Reds with an invite to Spring Training.{{cite web |last=Sheldon |first=Mark |date=November 5, 2013 |title=Reds ink Bourgeois to Minor League deal |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/mlb/reds-sign-outfielder-jason-bourgeois-to-minor-league-contract?ymd=20131105&content_id=63687860&vkey=news_mlb |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202221421/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/mlb/reds-sign-outfielder-jason-bourgeois-to-minor-league-contract?ymd=20131105&content_id=63687860&vkey=news_mlb |archive-date=December 2, 2013 |access-date=November 5, 2013 |work=MLB.com |publisher=MLB Advanced Media}} On September 1, 2014, the Reds selected Bourgeois' contract from the Triple-A Louisville Bats, and he hit .242/.265/.303 in 18 games. 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.

=Arizona Diamondbacks=

On December 23, 2015, Bourgeois signed a minor league deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks.{{Cite web |last=Todd |first=Jeff |date=December 23, 2015 |title=Diamondbacks To Sign Tim Stauffer, Jason Bourgeois |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/12/diamondbacks-to-sign-tim-stauffer-jason-bourgeois.html |access-date=October 24, 2022 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en-US}} He began the season with the Triple-A Reno Aces, batting .356 with 9 RBI in 33 games.

=Chicago White Sox (second stint)=

Bourgeois was traded to the Chicago White Sox for cash considerations on May 16, 2016.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=May 17, 2016 |title=D-backs trade minor league OF Jason Bourgeois to White Sox |url=https://arizonasports.com/story/659093/d-backs-trade-jason-bourgeois-white-sox/ |access-date=October 24, 2022 |website=Arizona Sports |language=en-US}} 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. Bourgeois elected free agency following the season on November 7.{{Cite web|title=Minor League Free Agents 2016|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2016/|access-date=July 31, 2024|website=baseballamerica.com|date=November 8, 2016 |language=en}}

On January 17, 2017, Bourgeois was re-signed by the White Sox to a minor league deal.{{Cite web |last=Adams |first=Steve |date=January 17, 2017 |title=White Sox, Cory Luebke Agree To Minor League Deal |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/01/whitesox-sign-cory-luebke-minors.html |access-date=October 24, 2022 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en-US}} 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.{{Cite web|title=Minor League Free Agents 2017|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2017/?amphtml|access-date=June 25, 2023|website=baseballamerica.com|date=November 7, 2017 |language=en}}

=Tigres de Quintana Roo=

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

On January 16, 2019, he was announced as an assistant coach for the Great Lakes Loons in the Los Angeles Dodgers farm system.{{cite web |last=DeVries |first=Matt |date=January 16, 2019 |title=Shoemaker Returns for 2019 Season |url=https://www.milb.com/great-lakes/news/shoemaker-returns-for-2019-season-302793234 |access-date=January 16, 2019 |work=Great Lakes Loons |publisher=Minor League Baseball}}

On November 7, 2023, Bourgeois, was named first base/outfield coach for the Chicago White Sox. {{cite web | url=https://www.milb.com/charlotte-knights/news/bourgeois-back-in-the-white-sox-organization | title=Bourgeois Back in the White Sox Organization }}

Personal life

Bourgeois is married to American singer and Sony ATV songwriter Coline Creuzot. The couple had their first child in 2015.{{Cite web |last=Guerra |first=Joey |date=March 2, 2016 |title=Creuzot in control |url=http://www.houstonchronicle.com/entertainment/music/article/Little-sister-of-Houston-rap-scene-grows-up-6865758.php#photo-9486614 |access-date=March 2, 2016 |website=Houston Chronicle}}