Choice played college baseball at the University of Texas at Arlington before the Athletics made him their first round draft pick in 2010. He made his MLB debut with the Athletics in 2013, and played for the Rangers in 2014 and 2015.
As a junior in 2010, Choice hit .393 with 16 home runs, a .568 on-base percentage, and a .704 slugging percentage.[2] He was named First Team College All-American Outfielder,[4] Southland Conference All-Star Outfielder, and Southland Conference Player of the Year. He was also named a semifinalist for the Golden Spikes Award, which is given to the best amateur baseball player of the year.[2] In his three years at UTA, Choice batted .392 and hit a school-record 34 home runs.[2]
Choice spent the 2013 season with the Sacramento River Cats of the Triple–APacific Coast League (PCL), where he batted .302 with 14 home runs and 89 RBI in 132 games. The Athletics selected his contract on September 1, 2013.[8][9] He made his major league debut the following day.[10]
Texas Rangers
On December 3, 2013, the Athletics traded Choice and infielder Chris Bostick to the Texas Rangers for outfielder Craig Gentry and pitcher Josh Lindblom.[11][12] Choice made the Rangers' Opening Day roster.[13] He hit his first career home run against the Houston Astros off of Kevin Chapman, becoming the first Rangers' player to hit his first career home run in a pitch-hit at-bat.[14] Struggling with a .177 batting average, the Rangers demoted Choice to the Round Rock Express of the PCL in July.[15] The Rangers promoted Choice back to the major leagues in August.[16] His season ended when he strained his hamstring in September; he batted .182 for the Rangers.[15]
Choice competed in spring training to become the Rangers' starting left fielder, but he struggled and was reassigned to minor league camp during the competition.[17] Choice spent the 2015 season with Round Rock, and was designated for assignment on August 18.[18]
Cleveland Indians
The Rangers traded Choice to the Cleveland Indians in exchange for cash considerations on August 21, 2015, and the Indians subsequently optioned him to the Columbus Clippers of the Triple–A International League.[19] Choice finished the 2015 season with Columbus, and was designated for assignment on November 25.[20] He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Columbus on November 30.
Choice was invited to 2016 spring training as a non–roster player. He spent the year with Columbus, playing in 71 games and batting .246/.304/.456 with 14 home runs and 39 RBI. Choice elected free agency following the season on November 7, 2016.[21]
Baltimore Orioles
On February 15, 2017, Choice signed a minor league contract with the Baltimore Orioles.[22] He played in 11 games for the Triple–A Norfolk Tides, going 1–for–26 (.039) with two RBI. Choice was released by the Orioles organization on May 2.[23]
On July 22, 2017, the Brewers sold Choice's contract to the Nexen Heroes of the KBO League.[25] Choice re-signed with the Heroes for $600,000 on November 24, 2017.[26] Choice batted .307 with 17 home runs in 46 games for Nexen, and was re–signed for the 2018 season. He batted .258 with 17 home runs in 96 games, and Nexen released Choice on August 7, 2018.[27]
On December 17, 2019, Choice signed a minor league deal with the Colorado Rockies.[29] Choice was released by the Rockies organization on May 30, 2020.
On June 18, 2021, Choice signed with the Acereros de Monclova of the Mexican League.[31] In 3 games, he went 1 for 12 with no home runs or RBI. On June 23, he was placed on the inactive list, and he was later released on August 8.[31]
On September 28, 2023, Choice was announced as part of MLB's diversity pipeline scout and coaching development program.[33]
Personal
Choice was born in Fort Worth, Texas. His father, Charles, worked as an engineer for Bell Helicopter, and his mother, Charea, worked as a schoolteacher.[3]
Choice married his girlfriend, Jade, in October 2012.[34] The couple have two children.[3]
