Mike Tauchman Bio
Michael Robert Tauchman (born December 3, 1990) is an American professional baseball outfielder who is currently a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball for the Colorado Rockies, New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants, Chicago Cubs, and Chicago White Sox, and spent a season in the Korea Baseball Organization with the Hanwha Eagles. A former quarterback and safety in high school, Tauchman transitioned fully to baseball and emerged as one of college baseball’s top hitters during his senior year at Bradley University. Known for his patient plate approach and ability to play all three outfield positions, Tauchman has built a journeyman career defined by defensive highlights and timely hitting.
Early Life and Background
Michael Robert Tauchman was born on December 3, 1990, in Palatine, Illinois. He grew up in the Chicago suburbs and attended William Fremd High School, where he was a multi-sport athlete. In addition to playing baseball, Tauchman was the quarterback and safety for the football team, and he once led a second-half comeback against a high school opponent who went on to play in the NFL.
On the baseball field, Tauchman was a standout. As a senior, he batted .490 and was named Mid-Suburban League West Player of the Year, drawing attention from college programs across the region. His combination of hitting ability, speed, and football-honed athleticism helped shape the well-rounded profile that would later define his professional career.
Path to Professional Baseball
After high school, Tauchman enrolled at Bradley University, where he majored in business management and administration while playing for the Bradley Braves. His development accelerated during his collegiate career, and by his senior season in 2013, he had become one of the most productive hitters in the country. He won the Missouri Valley Conference Baseball Player of the Year Award, was named a Rawlings/American Baseball Coaches Association First Team All-American, and earned spots on the All-MVC and MVC All-Defensive Teams.
That 2013 senior season cemented his professional prospects. Tauchman batted .425 overall, leading all NCAA Division I baseball players, while also pacing the Missouri Valley Conference with a .513 on-base percentage. The Colorado Rockies selected him in the 10th round of the 2013 MLB draft, launching his minor league journey and beginning the long climb toward the major leagues.
Mike Tauchman Career
Early Career (2013-2016)
Tauchman began his professional career in 2013 with the Short-Season Tri-City Dust Devils, where he batted .297 and was named a Northwest League Mid-Season All-Star. He split the 2014 season between Tri-City and the High-A Modesto Nuts, hitting a combined .293 with 15 stolen bases and earning a promotion up the ladder.
By 2015, Tauchman had reached Double-A with the New Britain Rock Cats, batting .294 and earning Eastern League Post-Season All-Star honors. In 2016, he advanced to Triple-A Albuquerque and also gained international experience playing for Águilas del Zulia in the Venezuelan Winter League. His steady rise through the minor leagues reflected consistent on-base skills and defensive versatility across all three outfield spots.
Colorado Rockies (2017-2018)
The Colorado Rockies called Tauchman up to the majors for the first time on June 27, 2017. He appeared in 31 games during his rookie campaign, going 6-for-27 with two RBI. He returned to Triple-A Albuquerque, where he was named a Pacific Coast League Post-Season All-Star after a strong .331 batting average and 16 home runs.
In 2018, Tauchman earned PCL Player of the Week honors in May and was again a Mid-Season and Post-Season All-Star in the Pacific Coast League, batting .323 with 20 home runs and 81 RBI. He also saw limited major league time, going 3-for-32 in 21 games. By the end of his time in the Rockies system, Tauchman had played 278 games in center field, 208 in left field, and 120 in right field, demonstrating the defensive flexibility that would become a hallmark of his career.
New York Yankees (2019-2021)
On March 23, 2019, the Rockies traded Tauchman to the New York Yankees for pitcher Phil Diehl. He made the Yankees’ Opening Day roster and enjoyed a breakout year, batting .277 with 13 home runs and 47 RBI in 87 games. His patient approach was a defining trait, as he saw 4.34 pitches per plate appearance, the highest rate on the Yankees among hitters with at least 200 plate appearances, and ranked second in the American League in opposite-field hit rate.
The 2020 season was a struggle for Tauchman, as a lingering right shoulder injury limited him to .242 in 95 at-bats with no home runs. He began 2021 with the Yankees but appeared in only 14 at-bats before the team traded him on April 27 to the San Francisco Giants in exchange for Wandy Peralta and a player to be named.
San Francisco Giants (2021)
Tauchman’s brief stint with the San Francisco Giants was highlighted by a series of dramatic defensive plays and clutch hitting. On May 28, he robbed Albert Pujols of a walk-off home run, and 11 days later, he hit his first MLB career grand slam to take the lead against the Texas Rangers. Three days after that, he robbed Juan Soto of a game-tying home run to preserve a shutout.
Despite those highlights, Tauchman was designated for assignment on July 29 after hitting .178 with an OPS of .569. He cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Sacramento before electing free agency on October 13.
Hanwha Eagles (2022)
On December 9, 2021, Tauchman signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Hanwha Eagles of the KBO League. He adapted quickly to the international game, batting .289 with 12 home runs in 575 at-bats during the 2022 season. His strong performance earned him a spot in the KBO All-Star Game, and he became a free agent again at year’s end.
Chicago Cubs (2023-2024)
Tauchman signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs organization on January 13, 2023, and was selected to the active roster on May 19. He played 108 games for Chicago in 2023, batting .252 with eight home runs, 48 RBI, and seven stolen bases. One of his signature moments came on July 28, when he robbed Alec Burleson of a walk-off home run in the ninth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals.
In 2024, Tauchman made 109 appearances for the Cubs, slashing .248/.357/.366 with seven home runs and 29 RBI. On November 22, 2024, Chicago non-tendered him, making him a free agent.
Chicago White Sox (2025)
On December 11, 2024, Tauchman signed a one-year, $1.95 million contract with the Chicago White Sox. He played 93 games for Chicago during the 2025 season, batting .263 with nine home runs and 40 RBI. On September 24, 2025, he was placed on the injured list after suffering a right meniscus tear, ending his season. He became a free agent again on November 21 when Chicago non-tendered him.
Notable Events and Milestones
Tauchman’s career has been marked by a series of dramatic, game-saving catches in the outfield. He robbed Albert Pujols of a walk-off home run in 2021, took away a game-tying homer from Juan Soto days later, and made another walk-off-saving catch against Alec Burleson in 2023. His first career grand slam with the Giants in 2021 was another signature moment, as was his selection to the 2022 KBO All-Star Game during his lone season in Korea.
Mike Tauchman Family
Personal Life
Michael Robert Tauchman married his wife, Eileen, in January 2017, the same year he made his major league debut. The couple’s personal life has remained largely out of the public eye, with Tauchman focusing much of his off-field attention on family and community.
2025 Season Performance
Tauchman’s 2025 season began with a one-year contract with the Chicago White Sox, where he provided veteran outfield depth and steady on-base production. Through 93 games, he hit .263 with nine home runs and 40 RBI, continuing his track record as a reliable role player. His defensive versatility allowed Chicago to deploy him at all three outfield positions throughout the year.
His campaign came to an abrupt end on September 24, when a right meniscus tear sent him to the injured list for the remainder of the season. Despite the early finish, Tauchman’s steady presence helped stabilize the White Sox outfield during a rebuilding year. Chicago non-tendered him on November 21, returning him to free agency as he looks to extend his journeyman career.
