Evan Skoug
Catcher
Born: (1995-10-21) October 21, 1995 (age 28)
Kalamazoo, Michigan
Bats: Left
Throws: Right

Evan Nicholas Skoug (born October 21, 1995) is an American former professional baseball catcher. He attended Texas Christian University (TCU) and played college baseball for the TCU Horned Frogs, for whom he is currently an assistant coach. He played professional baseball in the Chicago White Sox organization from 2017 to 2023.

Playing career

Skoug attended Libertyville High School in Libertyville, Illinois. Considered a potential second or third round pick in the MLB draft, Skoug wanted to go to college. He fell to the 34th round of the 2014 MLB draft, where he was selected by the Washington Nationals. Skoug did not sign, and enrolled at Texas Christian University (TCU).[1][2] As a freshman for the TCU Horned Frogs, he batted .285 and led the team with 46 RBIs. He was named a Freshman All-American.[3][4] After the 2015 season, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Falmouth Commodores of the Cape Cod Baseball League.[5] In 2017, he struggled in his first 20 games of the season, batting below the Mendoza Line. After making adjustments to his swing, Skoug ended the season with 20 home runs.[6] He was named Big 12 Conference Baseball Player of the Year.[7]

The Chicago White Sox selected Skoug in the seventh round, with the 207th overall selection, of the 2017 MLB draft.[8] Skoug signed with the White Sox, receiving a $300,000 signing bonus.[9] After signing, he was assigned to the AZL White Sox, and after batting .529 with one home run and three RBIs in four games, was promoted to the Kannapolis Intimidators where he finished the season, posting a .154 batting average with two home runs and seven RBIs in 21 games.[10] He returned to Kannapolis in 2018, batting .192 with five home runs and 31 RBIs in 83 games.[11]

Skoug once again returned to Kannapolis to begin 2019.[12] On the year, he played in 62 games split between Kannapolis and the High–A Winston-Salem Dash, hitting a cumulative .168/.284/.330 with 6 home runs and 24 RBI.[13] Skoug did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[14] He returned to action in 2021, spending the year in Winston-Salem, as well as playing in 3 games for the Triple–A Charlotte Knights. In 49 games for the Dash, he batted .175/.293/.364 with 7 home runs and 19 RBI.[15]

Skoug began the 2022 season with the Double–A Birmingham Barons. He would go on to enjoy his best season yet, hitting .233/.369/.456 with a career–high 11 home runs and 25 RBI in 69 games played.[16] In 2023, Skoug played in 43 games for Triple–A Charlotte, hitting .171/.299/.325 with 4 home runs and 15 RBI. On July 25, 2023, Skoug was released by the White Sox organization.[17]

Coaching career

On August 25, 2023, Skoug was announced as an assistant coach at his former school, Texas Christian University, for the upcoming season.[18]

Personal life

Skoug was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He has an older brother and older sister.

References

  1. ^ "Libertyville grad Evan Skoug still in hot pursuit of MLB dream - Libertyville Review". Chicago Tribune. June 21, 2016. Retrieved June 25, 2017.
  2. ^ English, Phil (June 18, 2014). "Evan Skoug of Libertyville Wildcats drafted by Washington Nationals, but will play college baseball at Texas Christian - tribunedigital-chicagotribune". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 25, 2017.
  3. ^ "Libertyville alum Evan Skoug draws comparisons to Jake Arrieta". Chicago Tribune. May 9, 2017. Retrieved June 25, 2017.
  4. ^ "College Sports: Carlton: Evan Skoug is TCU's young, take-charge catcher who sets tone for deep pitching staff | SportsDay". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved June 25, 2017.
  5. ^ "#7 Evan Skoug - Profile". pointstreak.com. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  6. ^ "College Sports: Skoug's back to basics approach helped him slug TCU back to Omaha | SportsDay". The Dallas Morning News. June 17, 2017. Retrieved June 25, 2017.
  7. ^ Star-Telegram (May 23, 2017). "TCU's Skoug selected as Big 12 baseball Co-Player of Year". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Retrieved June 25, 2017.
  8. ^ Mendezcmendez, Carlos (June 13, 2017). "TCU catcher Evan Skoug taken by Chicago White Sox". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Retrieved June 25, 2017.
  9. ^ "Libertyville grad Evan Skoug 'thankful' to sign with White Sox - Chicago Tribune".
  10. ^ "Evan Skoug Stats, Highlights, Bio - MiLB.com Stats - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". MiLB.com. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  11. ^ "Evan Skoug Stats, Highlights, Bio - MiLB.com Stats - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". MiLB.com. Retrieved December 31, 2018.
  12. ^ "2019 Kannapolis Intimidators Preview | FutureSox".
  13. ^ "Evan Skoug Stats & Scouting Report". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
  14. ^ "2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled". mlb.com. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
  15. ^ "Evan Skoug - Stats - Batting". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
  16. ^ "South Side Sox Top Prospect No. 98: Evan Skoug". southsidesox.com. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
  17. ^ https://www.milb.com/transactions/2023-07-25
  18. ^ "Evan Skoug and Brian Howard Return to TCU as Assistant Coaches". si.com. Retrieved December 26, 2023.

External links

Big 12 Conference Baseball Player of the Year
Categories