Zach Borenstein
| AB | 3392 |
|---|---|
| AVG | .272 |
| OBP | .351 |
| SLG | .48 |
| HR | 144 |
- Full name Zachary Jordan Borenstein
- Born 07/23/1990 in Arlington Heights, IL
- Profile Ht.: 6'0" / Wt.: 205 / Bats: L / Throws: R
- School Eastern Illinois
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Drafted in the 23rd round (705th overall) by the Los Angeles Angels in 2011.
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Built like a wrestler at 5-foot-11 and 205 pounds, Zach Borenstein offers impressive bat speed from the left side of the plate. He has good straight-line speed for his size, but he's stiff and scouts aren't sure where he'll play in pro ball after seeing time at second base, third base, center field and right field in three years at Eastern Illinois. His best spot is probably an outfield corner; he probably doesn't have enough arm to try catcher.
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Borenstein's big breakout year came in 2013 when he led the high Class A California League in batting (.337), home runs (28) and slugging (.631) to win the league's MVP award. This despite missing a month with a hip flexor injury. The Diamondbacks acquired Borenstein in a four-player deal with the Angels in July 2014, and he batted a cumulative .258/.320/.432 with 15 homers for four total clubs. His plus power potential comes from solid bat speed and a good swing. His power is counterbalanced by a low contact rate (24 percent strikeotus in 2014), which will keep his batting average down. He's an average, maxeffort runner who will lose some speed as he matures. As an average defender with a below-average arm, Borenstein fits best in left field, but he could also handle right field in a backup role. Left off the 40-man roster, Borenstein will go as far as his bat takes him, which will be Triple-A Reno in 2015. -
Borenstein played first, second and third base as well as outfield in college while batting .362 over three seasons at Eastern Illinois. Throughout his travels around the diamond, his best position was in the batter's box. That's proven true as a pro as well. He led the high Class A California League in batting (.337), home runs (28) and slugging percentage (.631) in 2013 despite missing a month with a hip flexor injury. He also sang an excellent rendition of the national anthem before an Inland Empire game in the final weeks of the season. Borenstein has a very valuable carrying tool in that he's a lefthanded hitter with plus power potential. He hits from an open stance, though he has straightened up more when he plants his front foot, giving him plate coverage on the outer half he once lacked. Observers knock his swing's uppercut path. Borenstein has solid bat speed and quick hands but sometimes appears to be guessing, leading to some bad swings. Some Cal League managers also felt he could be beaten by premium velocity. A modest athlete, Borenstein is a below-average runner and thrower who is playable in left field. He heads into 2014 trying to prove he's not just a Cal League creation, and his 6-for-44 (.136) showing in the Arizona Fall League didn't help. The Angels' lack of outfield depth gives Borenstein a chance to move quickly, so it's not out of the realm of possibility that he could spend significant time at Triple-A Salt Lake in 2014.
