Blake Tekotte

Blake Tekotte
Tekotte with the San Diego Padres in 2011
Outfielder
Born: (1987-05-24) May 24, 1987 (age 37) Columbia, Missouri, U.S.
Batted: Left Threw: Right
MLB debut
May 25, 2011, for the San Diego Padres
Last MLB appearance
August 11, 2013, for the Chicago White Sox
MLB statistics
Batting average	.188
Home runs	1
Runs batted in	3
Stats at Baseball Reference
Teams
San Diego Padres (2011–2012) Chicago White Sox (2013)

Blake Aaron Tekotte (born May 24, 1987) is a former American professional baseball outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Diego Padres and Chicago White Sox.

Playing career

Amateur

Tekotte attended David H. Hickman High School in Columbia, Missouri and the University of Miami, where he played for the Miami Hurricanes baseball team. While at Miami, he reached the College World Series in 2006[1] and 2008.[2] In 2007, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Brewster Whitecaps of the Cape Cod Baseball League and was named a league all-star.[3][4][5]

San Diego Padres

Tekotte was drafted by San Diego Padres in the third round, with the 101st overall selection, of the 2008 Major League Baseball draft.

On May 23, 2011, Tekotte was promoted to the major leagues for the first time.[6] Tekotte made his major league debut on May 25, one day after his 24th birthday, pinch-hitting for Mat Latos, and lining out to the right fielder Jon Jay.[7]

Tekotte made 11 appearances for San Diego in 2012, going 2-for-15 (.133) with one stolen base. On November 2, 2012, Tekotte was designated for assignment by the Padres.[8]

Chicago White Sox

On November 7, 2012, Tekotte was traded to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for Brandon Kloess.[9] On August 9, 2013, Tekotte hit his first Major League home run against Minnesota Twins pitcher Liam Hendriks. In 20 appearances for the White Sox, he slashed .226/.306/.355 with one home run, two RBI, and one stolen bases. On December 6, Tekotte was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to the Triple-A Charlotte Knights.[10]

Arizona Diamondbacks

On August 3, 2014, Tekotte was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for cash considerations.[11] In 7 games for the Triple-A Reno Aces, he went 4-for-18 (.222) with 6 RBI. Tekotte was released by the Diamondbacks organization on August 16.[12]

Boston Red Sox

Tekotte signed a minor league contract with the Boston Red Sox on January 10, 2015.[13] In 49 games for the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs, he batted .275/.364/.425 with three home runs, 20 RBI, and four stolen bases. Tekotte elected free agency following the season on November 6.

Long Island Ducks

Tekotte signed with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball on March 21, 2016.[14]

Coaching career

Tekotte retired following the 2016 season, and returned to complete his degree at the University of Miami. He has joined the Miami Hurricanes baseball coaching staff for the 2017 season as a student coach.[15]

Personal life

In February 2024, Tekotte was charged with assault and kidnapping in Columbia, Missouri.[16][17]

References

1. "Columbia's Tekotte in College World Series"
2. "Blake Tekotte player bio"
3. "Major League Baseball Players From the Cape Cod League" (PDF). capecodbaseball.org. Retrieved January 9, 2020.
4. "2007 Brewster Whitecaps". thebaseballcube.com. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
5. "East All-Star Roster: All-Star Game 2007". capecodbaseball.org. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
6. Padres demote right fielder Will Venable, call up Blake Tekotte
7. Missourian Staff (May 25, 2011). "Former Hickman star makes Major League debut". Columbia Missourian. Archived from the original on July 22, 2012. Retrieved May 26, 2011.
8. "Padres Designate Spence, Tekotte For Assignment". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved January 26, 2025.
9. Padres get RHP Kloess from Chisox for OF Tekotte
10. "Minor Moves: Thames, Tekotte, McDade". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved January 26, 2025.
11. Baer, Bill,"Diamondbacks acquire Blake Tekotte from the White Sox for cash" NBC Sports, August 3, 2014
12. "Minor Moves: Johnson, Leroux, Murphy, Axelrod". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved January 26, 2025.
13. "Minor Moves: Royals, Braves, White Sox, Cubs". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved January 26, 2025.
14. "DUCKS INK FORMER BIG LEAGUE OUTFIELDER"
15. "University of Miami coaches list". Archived from the original on March 18, 2017. Retrieved March 17, 2017.
16. Fuchs, Nicolas (February 6, 2024). "Former MLB player charged with assault and kidnapping in Columbia". KRCG. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
17. Shiner, Ryan (February 3, 2024). "Columbia man charged with domestic assault, kidnapping". ABC17NEWS. Retrieved February 7, 2024.

External links

• Career statistics from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors)
• Miami Hurricanes bio