Danny Borrell

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked New York Yankees #14 prospect in 2004
  Borrell has top 10 talent, but he tore a shoulder ligament early in 2003, casting doubt on his future. A two-way player at Wake Forest, he attracted more attention from scouts as a pitcher despite hitting 37 homers while posting a 6.21 ERA. He has made significant progress from a raw, strong-armed thrower to a pitcher who relies on command and changing speeds. Borrell's fastball has topped out at 94 mph, but he works effectively at 87-90 mph. He tends to pitch backward and has tremendous command of one of the best changeups in the organization. Borrell throws strikes and uses both sides of the plate. The Yankees were impressed with his work ethic during his rehab and expect him to be ready to go by the end of spring training. He was on the verge of competing for a big league job last spring before his velocity dropped to 83 mph. Given this setback, he'll spend most of 2004 getting back to where he was. He'll be 26 when he competes for a spot with the Yankees in 2005.
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  Ranked New York Yankees #9 prospect in 2003
  When they drafted Borrell, the Yankees envisioned another physical lefty in the mold of their 1996 first-rounder, Eric Milton. Unlike the polished Milton, who needed just one season in the minors, Borrell was raw after splitting his college career between hitting and pitching. Borrell mixes speeds and throws strikes. He's athletic, which allows him to repeat his delivery. He has an average fastball that sits at 87-91 mph but tops out at 94, so he can reach back when he needs a little extra. His changeup is among the best in the system and he shows good rotation on his curveball. Borrell can locate his stuff to either side of the plate, but without a plus pitch to put hitters away, he must be perfect. His curveball lags behind his other two pitches. His arm has low mileage, and Borrell could throw harder with more innings. After leading the Eastern League in ERA, Borrell should begin 2003 in Triple-A. The age of New York's rotation will make him an attractive option soon.
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  Ranked New York Yankees #22 prospect in 2002
  Borrell had more success as a first baseman/outfielder at Wake Forest, slugging 37 homers while compiling a 6.21 ERA as a starter, but his free and easy arm action on the mound was too enticing to pass up. The Yankees immediately made him a pitcher after signing him as a 2000 second-round pick, and he has been much more effective in the minors. He mixes up an average 87-91 mph fastball, a curveball and a changeup. He works from a balanced, clean delivery and exhibits advanced pitchability. He needs to sharpen his consistency with his curveball and is toying with a slider. Borrell was shut down in the second half last year with shoulder pain, but he returned for the Florida State League postseason. He'll pitch in Double-A in 2002.
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  Ranked New York Yankees #17 prospect in 2001
  Borrell reminds the Yankees of Eric Milton, another lefthander from an Atlantic Coast Conference school (Maryland) whom they took early in the draft (first round, 1996). Both Borrell and Milton were two-way players in college, and Borrell was far more effective as a first baseman/outfielder (.336-37-172 in 175 games) for Wake Forest than he was as a pitcher (10-8, 6.21 in 50 appearances). Focusing fully on pitching as a pro, he performed much better. Borrell has an average fastball and a plus changeup. Very athletic, he has a fluid delivery and a nice, loose arm. He needs to come up with a breaking pitch, and to that end he has worked on both a curveball and a slider. Because he's relatively inexperienced as a pitcher, Borrell probably will be assigned to Greensboro in 2001.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Eastern League #15 prospect in 2002
  Borrell has been compared to another former two-way Atlantic Coast Conference star, Eric Milton, since his days at Wake Forest. He had more success as a hitter with the Demon Deacons but quickly took to becoming a full-time pitcher as a pro. Borrell made a mockery of the league ERA race, beating Justin Wayne by 0.81. Borrell's fastball sat in the low 90s in 2002, as he recovered fully from shoulder pain that bothered him last year. He's more advanced than expected, considering his limited experience, and doesn't beat himself with walks or homers. He also throws a curveball and changeup.
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  Ranked New York-Penn League #8 prospect in 2000
  Primarily a first baseman-outfielder in a college career that included two Atlantic Coast Conference titles at Wake Forest, Borrell has an arm with little mileage on it. Despite his inexperience, he managed to get immediate results in pro ball. "Borrell's an outstanding athlete," said Arnold, whose scouting territory includes the ACC. "He was off and on this year in college, where he was used as a hitter too. He has a plus changeup right now, and he has the ability to hit 90-91 with his fastball." Borrell is working on a slider and a curve now, and may have to choose one in the future. Several hitters in the league thought Borrell's stuff wasn't necessarily the best on Staten Island's staff, but that he was the club’s best pitcher. "Borrell's crafty. He hit 92 the second time we saw him, but the first time he was only around 86," Pittsfield pitching coach Bob Stanley said. "But he's a smart kid and he mixes his pitches well. His curve needs a little work, and he has to pitch down to be effective."

• December, 1999 Scouting Report
  Primarily a first baseman-outfielder in a college career that included two Atlantic Coast Conference titles at Wake Forest, Borrell has an arm with little mileage on it. Despite his inexperience, he managed to get immediate results in pro ball. "Borrell's an outstanding athlete," said Arnold, whose scouting territory includes the ACC. "He was off and on this year in college, where he was used as a hitter too. He has a plus changeup right now, and he has the ability to hit 90-91 with his fastball." Borrell is working on a slider and a curve now, and may have to choose one in the future. Several hitters in the league thought Borrell's stuff wasn't necessarily the best on Staten Island's staff, but that he was the club’s best pitcher. "Borrell's crafty. He hit 92 the second time we saw him, but the first time he was only around 86," Pittsfield pitching coach Bob Stanley said. "But he's a smart kid and he mixes his pitches well. His curve needs a little work, and he has to pitch down to be effective."