Michael Robert Tauchman Bio
Michael Robert Tauchman (born December 3, 1990) is an American professional baseball outfielder 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 in the KBO League for the Hanwha Eagles. Tauchman emerged as a standout player during his senior year at Bradley University, batting .425 and leading all NCAA Division I baseball players. Selected by the Rockies in the 10th round of the 2013 MLB draft, he made his MLB debut in 2017 and has since played for multiple teams, showcasing his skills in both MLB and overseas competition.
Early Life and Background
Tauchman attended William Fremd High School in Palatine, Illinois, where he excelled in both baseball and football. In baseball, he batted .490 and was named Mid-Suburban League West Player of the Year as a senior. In football, he served as quarterback and safety, and notably led a second-half comeback against future NFL quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo during his senior year.
He attended Bradley University, majoring in business management and administration, and played college baseball for the Bradley Braves. In 2013, his senior year, Tauchman posted remarkable numbers, batting .425 to lead all NCAA Division I players, .513 to lead the Missouri Valley Conference, and .591 to rank first in the conference. He also recorded 52 runs, 15 doubles, 5 triples, 41 RBIs, and 28 stolen bases in 30 attempts. He won the 2013 MVC Baseball Player of the Year Award and was named a Rawlings/American Baseball Coaches Association First Team All-American.
Path to Professional Baseball
Following his standout collegiate career, Tauchman was selected by the Colorado Rockies in the 10th round of the 2013 MLB Draft. He began his professional journey with the Short-Season Tri-City Dust Devils in 2013, where he batted .297 with 38 runs and 20 stolen bases, earning Northwest League Mid-Season All-Star honors. He steadily climbed through the Rockies minor league system, demonstrating consistent offensive production and defensive versatility across all three outfield positions.
In 2015 with the Double-A New Britain Rock Cats, Tauchman batted .294 and was named an Eastern League Post-Season All-Star. He continued his development with the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes in 2016, posting a .286 average before earning his first major league call-up in June 2017.
Michael Robert Tauchman Career
Colorado Rockies (2017-2018)
The Rockies called Tauchman up to the majors for the first time on June 27, 2017. He went 6-for-27 with two RBIs in 31 appearances during his rookie campaign. The majority of his season was spent with Albuquerque, where he batted .331 with 16 home runs and 80 RBIs, earning Pacific Coast League Post-Season All-Star honors.
In 2018, Tauchman was named PCL Player of the Week for May 14-20 after batting .417 with five home runs and eight RBIs in a remarkable stretch. For the season, he batted .323 with 20 home runs and 81 RBIs in the PCL, earning Mid-Season and Post-Season PCL All-Star honors. He also appeared in 21 major league games that year.
New York Yankees (2019-2021)
On March 23, 2019, the Rockies traded Tauchman to the New York Yankees in exchange for pitcher Phil Diehl. He made the Yankees’ Opening Day roster and emerged as a valuable contributor, batting .277 with 13 home runs and 47 RBIs in 87 games. He saw 4.34 pitches per plate appearance, the highest rate on the team among players with at least 200 plate appearances, and he ranked second in the American League with 35.3% of balls hit to the opposite field. He played all three outfield positions during the season.
The 2020 season presented challenges as Tauchman battled a right shoulder injury, limiting him to a .242 average with no home runs in 95 at-bats. He began the 2021 season with New York before being traded to San Francisco in late April.
San Francisco Giants (2021)
On April 27, 2021, the Yankees traded Tauchman to the San Francisco Giants in exchange for pitcher Wandy Peralta. He made an immediate impact with several highlight-reel defensive plays, robbing Albert Pujols of a walk-off home run on May 28. Eleven days later, he hit his first MLB career grand slam against the Texas Rangers. Three days after the grand slam, he robbed Juan Soto of a game-tying home run to preserve a shutout.
Despite these memorable moments, Tauchman struggled overall, batting .178 with a .569 OPS in 152 at-bats. The Giants designated him for assignment on July 29, and he cleared waivers before finishing the season with Triple-A Sacramento. He elected free agency in October.
Hanwha Eagles (2022)
On December 9, 2021, Tauchman signed a one-year contract for $1 million with the Hanwha Eagles of the KBO League. He adapted well to Korean baseball, batting .289 with 12 home runs in 575 at-bats, and was named a KBO All-Star. The season demonstrated his ability to produce at a high level in international competition.
Chicago Cubs (2023-2024)
On January 13, 2023, Tauchman signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs organization. He began the season with Triple-A Iowa before being selected to the active roster on May 19. He made significant defensive contributions, including robbing Alec Burleson of a walk-off home run on July 28. In 108 games for Chicago in 2023, he batted .252 with eight home runs and 48 RBIs.
Tauchman made 109 appearances for the Cubs in 2024, slashing .248/.357/.366 with seven home runs and 29 RBIs. On November 22, 2024, the Cubs non-tendered Tauchman, 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 made 93 appearances for Chicago during the 2025 campaign, batting .263 with nine home runs and 40 RBIs while demonstrating his continued versatility in the outfield. On September 24, 2025, Tauchman was placed on the injured list after suffering a right meniscus tear, and he missed the remainder of the season. On November 21, he was non-tendered by Chicago and became a free agent.
Defensive Versatility and Playing Style
Throughout his career, Tauchman has demonstrated the ability to play all three outfield positions, logging 278 games in center field, 208 in left field, and 120 in right field during his minor league career. Offensively, he is known for his opposite-field approach, ranking among the AL leaders in percentage of balls hit the other way. He combines solid plate discipline with baserunning instincts, making him a well-rounded contributor.
Notable Moments
Tauchman’s career has featured several memorable defensive gems, including multiple home run robberies that changed game momentum. His first career grand slam with the Giants in 2021 and his KBO All-Star selection in 2022 stand out as significant achievements. His ability to make highlight-reel catches has made him a valuable defender throughout his career.
Michael Robert Tauchman Career Wins
Across his MLB and KBO career, Tauchman has established himself as a versatile role player capable of contributing in multiple facets of the game. His minor league career saw him bat .303 across six seasons, demonstrating sustained success at the Triple-A level. His MLB career includes 41 home runs and 195 RBIs, while his KBO tenure produced a .289 average with 12 home runs.
Major League Baseball Highlights
Tauchman’s MLB career has featured stints with six different franchises. His standout season came in 2019 with the Yankees, where his 13 home runs and 47 RBIs in just 87 games showcased his ability to be an impactful player when given regular at-bats. His career batting average stands at .246 through the 2025 season.
Korean Baseball and Minor League Success
Beyond MLB, Tauchman’s All-Star selection with the Hanwha Eagles in 2022 demonstrated his ability to adapt and succeed internationally. His minor league career was highlighted by consistent All-Star selections and Organization All-Star honors at both the Triple-A and Double-A levels.
| League | Batting Average | Home Runs | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|
| MLB (Career through 2025) | .246 | 41 | 195 |
| KBO (2022) | .289 | 12 | 43 |
Michael Robert Tauchman Family
Personal Life
Tauchman and his wife, Eileen, married in January 2017, shortly before his MLB debut. He maintains an active presence on social media, connecting with fans through his Instagram account. Limited additional personal information has been made public.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented another solid campaign for Tauchman with the Chicago White Sox. Signing a one-year, $1.95 million contract in December 2024, he provided consistent production across 93 appearances, batting .263 with nine home runs and 40 RBIs while continuing to showcase his defensive versatility in the outfield.
The season took a turn in late September when Tauchman suffered a right meniscus tear, ending his campaign prematurely. The injury occurred during a game and required him to be placed on the injured list for the remainder of the season. Following the injury, the White Sox non-tendered him in November, making him a free agent as he entered his ninth professional season.