Michael Crouse


Michael R. Crouse is a Canadian professional baseball outfielder for the Chicago Dogs of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball. Crouse has also been a member of the Toronto Blue Jays organization, and has competed for the Canadian national baseball team.

Career

Crouse attended Centennial Secondary School in Coquitlam, British Columbia. Crouse played baseball and American football in high school, eventually choosing to focus on baseball.
Out of high school, Crouse was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 16th round of the 2008 Major League Baseball Draft. Crouse chose to sign with the Blue Jays instead of attending college. He made his professional debut in 2008, appearing in seven games with the Gulf Coast Blue Jays of the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League. He returned to the Gulf Coast Blue Jays in 2009. He was promoted to the Lansing Lugnuts of the Class-A Midwest League in 2010. With the Lugnuts, Crouse established himself as the team's starting right fielder, finishing the season with a.261 batting average, 14 home runs and 55 runs batted in. He led the Lugnuts with 38 stolen bases. Crouse joined the Dunedin Blue Jays in the Class-A Advanced Florida State League in 2012. He remained with the Blue Jays organization through the 2014 season, playing for the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats, and was released in the offseason.
Crouse signed with the independent Lancaster Barnstormers for the 2015 season, but missed the entire campaign due to injury. He re-signed with the team on January 26, 2016. Crouse was traded to the New Britain Bees on May 21, 2016, and finished the 2016 Atlantic League season with a league leading 61 stolen bases.
Crouse signed with the Pericos de Puebla of the Mexican League for the 2018 season.
He signed with Algodoneros de Unión Laguna in early 2019, but was released on May 21, 2019.
On May 28, 2019, Crouse signed with the Somerset Patriots of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.
On March 16, 2020, Crouse signed with the Chicago Dogs of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball.

International career

Crouse has played for the Canadian national baseball team. He played in the 2008 World Junior Baseball Championship, being named to the tournament's All-Star team. He also participated in the 2011 Baseball World Cup, winning the bronze medal, and the 2011 Pan American Games, winning the gold medal. He was the youngest player on the team.

Scouting profile

Crouse, listed at, is considered to be a five-tool player. Drafted as a centre fielder, Crouse is expected to remain in right field.

Personal

Crouse's father, Ray Crouse, a football running back, played in the National Football League and Canadian Football League.