TSU Baseball’s Michael Goudeau Breaks Records, Sets The Tone Behind The Plate

Texas Southern University senior catcher Michael Goudeau and head baseball coach Michael Robertson both have a lot in common.
 
While both of them are named Michael, both have been impacted by the military in their lives which has put them in position to be successful on the baseball diamond. With the SWAC West baseball race coming down to the end of the road, both Michaels are leaning on each other to accomplish the goal of winning the SWAC West and earning a top seed in the upcoming SWAC Tournament in late May.
 
Goudeau is having a career year and has also made history behind the plate. The Copperas Cove, Texas native has started a career-best 41-of-42 games for the Tigers this season and has set single season highs in at-bats, hits, runs, slugging percentage and on-base percentage. Defensively, his impact has been felt from day one as he has thrown out a career-best 19 runners who’ve attempted to steal base. As of May 2, he has thrown out a career-best 53 runners while also leading the SWAC in the same category. As a result of his hard work, Goudeau has become TSU’s all-time leader in runners thrown out.
 
Head coach Michael Robertson said Goudeau is the type of player and person he embodies.
 
“He is our toughest Tiger, unsung hero and a consummate professional,” said Robertson. “Michael checks all the boxes and is a military kid. If I had to go to war I would want him next to me in that fox hole.”
 
An accomplished student-athlete both on-and-off the diamond, Goudeau’s off-field resume’ is just as impressive as his on-the-field accolades. Goudeau is active in TSU’s Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC) and is active in community service projects in-and-around TSU. He also earned an NIL deal with AthleteTalk while also earning all-academic honors multiple years.
 
Playing one of the most important and demanding positions on the diamond, Goudeau shoulders a ton of responsibility. He has fought through pain and injuries over the course of his career while also serving as a key member in the success of the team’s pitching staff. During his career behind the plate, Goudeau has caught for an MLB Draft Pick (Kam Fields / 2021) while also helping Abraham Deleon make history in 2023 as he surpassed 100 strikeouts in a season.
 
“He never complains, transfer blames or makes excuses. His thoughts, priorities and habits hasn’t changed throughout his tenure at TSU,” said Robertson. “He comes in every year and his mindset is ‘teach me like I am a rookie’. Iron sharpens iron and he is also solid in the classroom, community and on the field. He understands that when you come to practice, you punch the clock and it’s time to work. I’ve never seen him take a day off in the weight room, on the track, meetings or practice. He just gets it.
 
“The race doesn’t go to the swiftest but the one who endures to the end,” added Robertson. “He has been hurt for the past two seasons and hasn’t complained. I’ve seen him bloody, battered and wounded but he keeps going.”
 
TSU fans have an opportunity to see Goudeau and the TSU baseball this weekend at MacGregor Park for a three-game stint against Prairie View A&M.