Michael Choice facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Michael Choice |
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Choice with the Texas Rangers in 2014
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| Outfielder | |||
| Born: November 10, 1989 Fort Worth, Texas, U.S. |
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| Professional debut | |||
| MLB: September 2, 2013, for the Oakland Athletics | |||
| KBO: July 29, 2017, for the Nexen Heroes | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| MLB: June 24, 2015, for the Texas Rangers | |||
| KBO: August 5, 2018, for the Nexen Heroes | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .188 | ||
| Home runs | 9 | ||
| Runs batted in | 36 | ||
| KBO statistics | |||
| Batting average | .282 | ||
| Home runs | 28 | ||
| Runs batted in | 78 | ||
| Teams | |||
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Michael Blair Choice (born November 10, 1989) is an American former professional baseball outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Oakland Athletics and Texas Rangers. He also played in the KBO League for the Nexen Heroes.
Choice played college baseball at the University of Texas at Arlington. The Athletics picked him in the first round of the 2010 draft. He made his MLB debut with the Athletics in 2013. He then played for the Rangers in 2014 and 2015.
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Early Baseball Days
Choice went to Mansfield Timberview High School in Arlington, Texas. He played for his school's baseball team. He was a catcher and a pitcher. In his last year of high school, he had a great batting average of .506.
Even though many big universities were interested, Choice only got a scholarship offer from the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA). He played college baseball there for the Texas–Arlington Mavericks team. Because there were many catchers on the team, Choice played as a center fielder.
College Highlights
As a freshman in 2008, Choice was the best hitter on his team. He had a .376 batting average, hit seven home runs, and had 51 runs batted in (RBIs). He was named one of the best freshmen outfielders in the country.
In 2010, as a junior, Choice hit .393 with 16 home runs. He was named a First Team College All-American Outfielder. He also won the Southland Conference Player of the Year award. Over his three years at UTA, Choice hit .392. He set a school record with 34 home runs.
Becoming a Pro Player
Oakland Athletics Draft Pick
The Oakland Athletics chose Michael Choice as their first pick in the 2010 Major League Baseball Draft. He was the tenth player picked overall. This was a big deal because he was the first UTA player ever picked in the first round. He was also the highest pick from the Southland Conference.
Choice signed with the Athletics on July 30, 2010. He received a $2 million bonus for signing. That year, he played for two minor league teams: the Arizona League Athletics and the Vancouver Canadians.
In 2011, he played for the Stockton Ports. He batted .283 and hit 30 home runs, with 82 RBIs. In 2012, he played for the Midland RockHounds. He was chosen to play in the 2012 All-Star Futures Game. His season ended early when he broke his hand.
Choice spent the 2013 season with the Sacramento River Cats. He batted .302 with 14 home runs and 89 RBIs. The Athletics called him up to the major leagues on September 1, 2013. He played his first major league game the next day.
Time with the Texas Rangers
On December 3, 2013, the Athletics traded Choice to the Texas Rangers. He was traded along with another player, Chris Bostick. In return, the Athletics got Craig Gentry and Josh Lindblom.
Choice made the Rangers' team for Opening Day in 2014. He hit his first career home run against the Houston Astros. It was special because it was a pinch-hit home run. However, he struggled with his hitting, batting only .177. The Rangers sent him to their minor league team, the Round Rock Express, in July. He came back to the major leagues in August. His season ended early in September due to a leg injury. He finished the year batting .182 for the Rangers.
In 2015, Choice tried to earn a starting spot with the Rangers. But he struggled again and was sent back to the minor leagues. He spent the 2015 season with Round Rock.
Other Teams and Leagues
After his time with the Rangers, Choice played for several other teams. In August 2015, he was traded to the Cleveland Indians. He played for their Triple-A team, the Columbus Clippers. He stayed with the Clippers for the 2016 season.
In 2017, Choice signed with the Baltimore Orioles and played a few games for their Triple-A team. Then, he signed with the Milwaukee Brewers.
Later in 2017, the Brewers sold Choice's contract to the Nexen Heroes in the KBO League in South Korea. He played very well there, batting .307 with 17 home runs in 46 games. He signed again with the Heroes for the 2018 season. He played 96 games and hit 17 home runs before being released in August 2018.
After playing in South Korea, Choice played for several teams in the Mexican League. These included the Diablos Rojos del México, Tigres de Quintana Roo, and Algodoneros de Unión Laguna. He also signed a minor league deal with the Colorado Rockies in 2019. In 2021, he played for the Acereros de Monclova and the Lexington Legends.
Coaching Career
In September 2023, Michael Choice joined a special program by Major League Baseball. This program helps former players become scouts and coaches.
About Michael Choice
Michael Choice was born in Fort Worth, Texas. His father, Charles, worked as an engineer. His mother, Charea, was a schoolteacher.
Choice married his girlfriend, Jade, in October 2012. They have two children together.
