Scott Cousins - Professional Career

Professional Career

Cousins was drafted by the Marlins in the third round of the 2006 Major League Baseball Draft out of the University of San Francisco.

Cousins (was) a highly touted prospect in the Marlins organization who combines power and speed. He has good range in the outfield, and the Marlins were very pleased with his work ethic.

In 2007, for Class A Greensboro (SAL), Cousins hit .292 with 18 home runs, 74 RBI's, and 16 stolen bases. He earned "MiLB.com Class A Best Single-Game Performer honors when he slugged three home runs and drove in a career-high nine RBIs on Aug. 22 against Hickory ... stroked a game-tying two-run homer, launched a grand slam, the first of his career, an inning later, and finished his day with a three-run drive in the eighth."

In 2008, as a member of the Mesa Solar Sox, Cousins led the Arizona Fall League in RBI's with 33 and hit .297 with 6 home runs.

In 2009 for the Jacksonville Suns, Cousins batted .263 with 74 RBI's, 12 home runs, 27 stolen bases, and led all AA with 11 triples (also setting a Marlins' minor league record).

Cousins was added to the Marlins' 40 man roster following the 2009 season to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.

Cousins hit .285 with 14 home runs, 49 RBI's, and 12 stolen bases for the New Orleans Zephyrs in the AAA Pacific Coast League before being called up on September 2, 2010.

Cousins made his Major League debut in September 2010. He got his first hit, a Walk-Off Single, against the Atlanta Braves on September 5, 2010. Regarding Cousins' call up, USF head coach Nino Giarratano stated, "Academically, athletically and personally he is most deserving of the opportunity and a lifetime of opportunities in Major League Baseball."

On September 24 and 25, Scott Cousins became the first major leaguer in 28 years (Cardinals' Willie McGee 1982) to record back-to-back pinch hit triples when he hit three baggers against the Brewers at Miller Park.

On April 21, 2011, Cousins hit his first career home run, a grand slam off James McDonald of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

On May 25, 2011, during a game against the San Francisco Giants, Cousins rammed into catcher and reigning Rookie of the Year Buster Posey after tagging up from 3rd base on a sacrifice fly from Emilio Bonifacio. Cousins said he hit Posey so that he could score. "If you hit them, you punish them and you punish yourself, but you have a chance of that ball coming out." While Cousins maintained that he did not intend to injure Posey, many others disagreed, and argued that Cousins hit Posey with the intention of hurting him. Posey sustained a broken fibula and three torn ligaments in his ankle, causing him to miss the rest of the season.

On June 15, 2012, Cousins was called up to the majors. Two days later, on June 17, Cousins made his first start as a Marlin since being called up. He went 3 for 7 against the Tampa Bay Rays, including a game-winning RBI triple in the 15th inning.

On October 17, 2012, Cousins was claimed on waivers by the Toronto Blue Jays after being designated for assignment by the Marlins. On November 1, Cousins was designated for assignment by the Blue Jays and was claimed off waivers by the Seattle Mariners 5 days later. On November 20, The Mariners designated him for assignment.

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim claimed Cousins on November 30, 2012. He was designated for assignment on May 18, 2013.