Professional career
Atlanta Braves
On March 23, 2005, the Atlanta Braves claimed Bourgeois off waivers from the Rangers.[5] He spent the entire season with the Triple-A Richmond Braves, batting .240 with two home runs and 16 RBI in 119 games.[4]
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners selected Bourgeois in the Rule 5 Draft on December 8, 2005.[6] In 107 games with the Double-A San Antonio Missions, he batted .277 with four home runs and 38 RBI while stealing 23 bases in 30 attempts.[4] He would become a minor league free agent after the season.
Houston Astros
Bourgeois was claimed off waivers by the Houston Astros on October 26, 2009.[16]
On January 20, 2010, Bourgeois, who was designated for assignment by the Astros, accepted his assignment to Triple A Round Rock after clearing waivers.[17][18]
On June 20, 2010, Bourgeois, Jason Castro and Chris Johnson were added to the major league roster and Casey Daigle, Cory Sullivan and Kevin Cash were designated for assignment.[19] Bourgeois played in 69 games for the Astros that year, batting .220 with 3 RBI.[12] He also made twelve starts in September and October after starting center fielder Michael Bourn was injured.[12]
On April 30, 2011, Bourgeois earned his first career walk-off win with a single to left field in the bottom of the ninth inning scoring Bill Hall (who pinch ran for Brett Wallace after he reached base on a walk earlier that inning) from second base to lead the Astros to a 2–1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers. Bourgeois had the other run in that game. Overall, it was a breakout game for Bourgeois, as he had a game-high three hits (two singles and a double). He also had two stolen bases (second and third consecutively) in the first inning, and would later come home and score a run that inning on a Hunter Pence RBI single.[20] Later that year on July 31, he would hit his second major league home run off of Chris Narveson and his former team, the Brewers.[21]
Kansas City Royals
On March 20, 2012, Bourgeois was traded to the Kansas City Royals along with Humberto Quintero for minor leaguer Kevin Chapman and a player to be named later.[22] He appeared in 30 games for the Royals during the 2012 season, batting .258 with 5 RBI and five stolen bases.[12] Most of his season was spent with the Triple A affiliate Omaha Storm Chasers, where he had a .243 batting average with three home runs, 8 RBI and seven stolen bases in 60 games.[4] On November 2, 2012, the Royals designated Bourgeois for assignment.[23] After clearing waivers, he elected to become a free agent on November 12.[24]
Tampa Bay Rays
On December 5, 2012, the Tampa Bay Rays signed Bourgeois to a minor league contract, with no guaranteed invite to Spring Training.[25] Bourgeois played most of his season with the Triple-A Durham Bulls, batting .290 with two home runs and 61 RBI in 90 games.[4] On August 14, playing only his sixth game for the Rays after being called up, Bourgeois hit a walk-off RBI single to help the Rays defeat the Seattle Mariners.[26] He was designated for assignment on August 23, 2013.[27]
Cincinnati Reds
On November 5, 2013, Bourgeois signed with the Cincinnati Reds with an invite to Spring Training.[28] On September 1, 2014, the Reds selected Bourgeois' contract from the Triple-A Louisville Bats, and he hit .242/.265/.303 in 18 games.[12] Bourgeois would take on a larger role for Cincinnati during the 2015 season, hitting .240/.294/.332 with three home runs and 14 RBI in 68 games.[12]
Arizona Diamondbacks
On December 23, 2015, Bourgeois signed a minor league deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks.[29] He began the season with the Triple-A Reno Aces, batting .356 with 9 RBI in 33 games.[4]
Chicago White Sox (second stint)
Bourgeois was traded to the Chicago White Sox for cash considerations on May 16, 2016.[30] He was assigned to the Triple-A Charlotte Knights, where he hit .273 with three home runs and 38 RBI in 89 games to finish the season.[4] Bourgeois elected free agency following the season on November 7.[31]
On January 17, 2017, Bourgeois was re-signed by the White Sox to a minor league deal.[32] He returned to Charlotte for the year, playing in 68 contests and hitting .266/.303/.351 with 4 home runs and 24 RBI. He elected free agency following the season on November 6.[33]
