Michael Bourn, Retired


Date of Birth: 12/27/1982
Birthplace: Houston, Texas
College: University of Houston

Michael Bourn, retired outfielder, was first drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies out of college in 2003. He spent four years in the minor leagues before being called up to the Phillies for 17 games in 2006.

In 2007, his first season with the Phillies, Bourn batted .277 in 105 games. After the season ended, the Phillies traded him to the Houston Astros. He had a weak first season with the Astros, batting just .229 in 2008.

Bourn led the National League in stolen bases in 2009. That season, he batted .285 with 173 hits, 27 doubles, a career high 12 triples, and a career high 61 stolen bases.

Bourn won his first of two consecutive Gold Gloves in 2009. That year, as a center fielder, he made 371 putouts and 3 errors with a .992 fielding percentage. He had similar numbers in 2010 when he won his second Gold Glove award. In 2010, he made 359 putouts and 3 errors with a .992 fielding percentage.

After 105 games with the Astros in 2011, they traded Bourn to the Atlanta Braves. That season turned out to be his best one with career highs in hits (193), doubles (34), stolen bases (61), and batting average (.294). He led major league baseball in stolen bases in 2011.

Bourn became a free agent after the 2012 season and he signed a four-year, $48 million contract with the Cleveland Indians. In 2013, he batted .263 with 138 hits, 21 doubles, and 23 stolen bases in 130 games. He finished the 2014 season with 114 hits, 17 doubles, and a .257 batting average in 106 games.

Bourn was traded to the Braves, along with Nick Swisher, on August 7, 2015. He finished the 2015 season with 101 hits, 15 doubles, 17 stolen bases, and a .238 batting average in 95 games with the Indians and 46 games with the Braves. As a center fielder, he made 236 putouts and 1 error in 106 games.

The Braves released Bourn on April 9, 2016. He signed with the Toronto Blue Jays on April 22nd but he didn't stay with them long. He was released by Toronto on May 7th and three days later, he signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Bourn was traded to the Baltimore Orioles on August 31, 2016. He finished the 2016 season with 99 hits, 13 doubles, 15 stolen bases, 38 RBIs, and a .264 batting average in 89 game with the Diamondbacks and 24 games with the Orioles. Defensively, he played 21 games in left field, 77 games in center field, and 21 games in right field.

Bourn became a free agent on November 3, 2016. He signed a minor league contract with the Orioles on February 22, 2017. He was released on May 24, 2017 He signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Angels on June 1st but he was released a month later, on July 2nd. He played only in the minor leagues in 2017.

Bourn retired after 2017.

Career batting statistics for Bourn through 2016 include:

  • 1,361 games played
  • 1,272 hits
  • 191 doubles
  • 361 RBIs
  • 341 stolen bases
  • 1,124 strikeouts to 445 walks
  • .266 batting average

Career fielding statistics for Bourn as a center fielder through 2016 include:

  • 1,159 games played
  • 2,699 putouts
  • 27 errors
  • .990 fielding percentage

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Michael Bourn
ESPN - Michael Bourn