What Happened to Kole Calhoun?

Frank Jones

What Happened to Kole Calhoun

Kole Calhoun is an American professional baseball player who has spent his career playing in the Major Leagues. He made his debut in 2012 with the Los Angeles Angels and spent 9 seasons with the team before becoming a free agent in 2021. Calhoun then signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks for the 2021 and 2022 seasons.

However, in February of 2023, Calhoun signed a one-year, minor-league contract with the Seattle Mariners, which ultimately led to a series of events that have left his future in baseball uncertain.

In this blog, we will examine what happened to Kole Calhoun, including his signing with the Mariners, his release from the team, and his decision to opt out of his minor-league contract. We will also explore what this means for Calhoun’s career moving forward.

Kole Calhoun’s Career

Kole Calhoun was born on October 14, 1987, in Tempe, Arizona, and attended Arizona State University, where he played college baseball for the Arizona State Sun Devils.

Calhoun was selected by the Los Angeles Angels in the eighth round of the 2010 MLB draft and began his professional career in the minor leagues.

Major League Career

Calhoun made his Major League debut with the Angels on May 22, 2012, and quickly became a regular in the team’s outfield. He was known for his strong defense and reliable bat, and he quickly became a fan favorite in Los Angeles.

In 2020, Calhoun signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks as a free agent, where he spent two seasons before signing with the Seattle Mariners in February of 2023.

Achievements and Awards

Throughout his Major League career, Calhoun has been a reliable and consistent player. He has hit over 20 home runs in a season three times and has been a Gold Glove finalist twice.

In 2019, he won a Gold Glove Award for his outstanding defensive play in right field. He has also been named the Angels’ team MVP twice and was named to the American League All-Star team in 2015.

Overall, Calhoun has established himself as a dependable player with a solid track record of success at the Major League level.

Signing With the Seattle Mariners

In February of 2023, Kole Calhoun signed a one-year, minor-league contract with the Seattle Mariners. The deal included an invitation to the team’s Major League spring training camp, where Calhoun would have an opportunity to compete for a spot on the team’s Major League roster.

The contract was worth a reported $1.5 million, with additional incentives based on Calhoun’s performance.

Expectations for Calhoun’s Role on the Team

The Mariners signed Calhoun with the expectation that he would provide depth in the outfield and serve as a veteran presence on a team that was looking to compete for a playoff spot.

Calhoun’s experience and leadership were seen as valuable assets, and the team hoped that he would be able to contribute both on and off the field.

Implications for Calhoun’s Career Moving Forward

For Calhoun, signing with the Mariners represented an opportunity to continue his Major League career and prove that he still had something left in the tank.

However, the fact that he was signing a minor-league contract rather than a Major League deal was an indication that his market value had diminished somewhat in recent years.

The one-year deal also meant that Calhoun would be a free agent once again at the end of the season, leaving his long-term prospects in the hands of his performance in 2023.

Release by the Seattle Mariners

Despite signing a one-year, minor-league contract with the Seattle Mariners in February of 2023, Kole Calhoun was released by the team just a month later in March. The circumstances leading to his release were not entirely clear, but it was likely a result of his performance in spring training.

Calhoun struggled at the plate, hitting just .167 in 13 at-bats, and the Mariners ultimately decided that he did not fit into their plans for the upcoming season.

Impact on Calhoun’s Career Prospects

Being released by the Mariners was a significant blow to Calhoun’s career prospects, as it left him without a team just weeks before the start of the season.

The fact that he had signed a minor-league contract rather than a Major League deal also meant that he did not have the security of a guaranteed roster spot, making him more vulnerable to being released.

While it was possible that Calhoun could catch on with another team before the start of the season, his prospects for finding a new team were uncertain.

Reaction From Fans and Analysts

The news of Calhoun’s release was met with disappointment from fans and surprise from analysts, many of whom had expected him to make the Mariners’ Major League roster.

Some speculated that his release was a result of the team’s desire to give more playing time to younger players, while others suggested that it was a sign that Calhoun’s best days were behind him.

Regardless of the reason, the consensus was that Calhoun’s release was a significant setback for a player who had established himself as a dependable Major League outfielder.

Opting Out of Minor-league Contract

According to reports, Kole Calhoun’s minor-league contract with the Seattle Mariners included an opt-out clause, which allowed him to become a free agent if he was not added to the team’s Major League roster by a certain date.

The exact terms of the opt-out clause were not disclosed, but it was likely a standard clause that is included in many minor-league contracts.

Reasons for Calhoun’s Decision

On Sunday, March 26, 2023, Kole Calhoun exercised his opt-out clause and became a free agent after being released by the Seattle Mariners earlier in the month.

The reasons for his decision to opt out of his minor-league contract were not entirely clear, but it was likely a result of his desire to find a new opportunity with a team that was more likely to give him a chance to play at the Major League level.

After struggling in spring training with the Mariners, Calhoun may have felt that he needed a change of scenery in order to rejuvenate his career.

Implications for Calhoun’s Future in Baseball

Opting out of his minor-league contract with the Mariners made Kole Calhoun a free agent, which meant that he was free to sign with any team that was interested in him.

While his struggles in spring training may have diminished his market value somewhat, Calhoun’s track record as a dependable Major League outfielder would likely make him an attractive option for many teams.

The fact that he had opted out of his contract with the Mariners also meant that he was not bound to any particular team, giving him the freedom to choose the best opportunity for him moving forward.

Ultimately, the implications for Calhoun’s future in baseball would depend on his ability to find a new team and continue to perform at a high level.

Kole Calhoun’s career statistics up to the end of the 2021 season:

StatisticNumber
Batting average.249
Home runs184
Runs batted in554
Hits968
On-base percentage.322
Slugging percentage.435
On-base plus slugging.757
Gold Glove awards1

Table name: Career Statistics for Kole Calhoun (up to the end of the 2021 season)

Frequently Asked Questions

Has Kole Calhoun ever won any individual awards during his career?

Yes, Kole Calhoun has won individual awards during his career. In 2015, he won a Gold Glove award for his outstanding play in right field for the Los Angeles Angels.

What position does Kole Calhoun primarily play?

Kole Calhoun primarily plays as an outfielder, with his primary position being right field.

What is Kole Calhoun’s career batting average?

As of the end of the 2021 season, Kole Calhoun’s career batting average was .249.

Which team did Kole Calhoun play for before signing with the Seattle Mariners?

Before signing with the Seattle Mariners in 2023, Kole Calhoun played for the Arizona Diamondbacks, where he spent the 2019-2022 seasons.

What is the highest number of home runs Kole Calhoun has hit in a single season?

Kole Calhoun’s highest number of home runs in a single season is 33, which he achieved in both 2015 and 2019.

To Recap

Kole Calhoun’s career has been marked by both successes and setbacks. While he has established himself as a dependable Major League outfielder over the course of his career, his recent release by the Seattle Mariners and subsequent opt-out of his minor-league contract have created uncertainty about his future in baseball.

Nevertheless, Calhoun’s track record and experience in the league make him a valuable asset for any team that is willing to give him a chance.

It remains to be seen where he will end up next, but there is no doubt that he has the talent and determination to continue to make a positive impact in the game of baseball.

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