Bobby Borchering

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Arizona Diamondbacks #10 prospect in 2012
  Borchering was the 16th overall pick in the 2009 draft, one of five players selected by the Diamondbacks before the second round. Signed for $1.8 million, he has as much raw power as anyone in the system and showed it by hitting 24 homers in high Class A at age 20 last season. He swung at a lot of pitches out of the zone early in the year but started to make adjustments and lay off offspeed pitches in the dirt. A switch-hitter, Borchering is equally effective from both sides of the plate. His propensity for striking out likely will preclude him from hitting for a high average, and he has batted just .266 in three pro seasons. Borchering entered pro ball as a third baseman, as did 2009 sandwich pick Matt Davidson, and they had to share time at both infield corners in the last two seasons. Borchering never showed much progress in the infield--one scout declared him "allergic to leather"--and Arizona finally moved him to left field during instructional league. He's a below-average runner with fringy arm strength, but he has enough athleticism to get the job done in the outfield. How he fares in Double-A against more challenging pitching this year will be telling.
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  Ranked Arizona Diamondbacks #7 prospect in 2011
  One of the top high school hitters in the 2009 draft, Borchering went 16th overall as the first of five Arizona picks before the second round. Signed for $1.8 million, he joined many others from his deep draft class last year at South Bend, where he split time at third base with Matt Davidson and also DHed. A switch-hitter, Borchering has all-star caliber raw power from both sides of the plate, but he struggled with his swing and approach in his first full pro season. He started using the whole field more later in the season, which was reflected in his .305/.385/.532 numbers in the final month. He'll have to continue adjusting to make more consistent contact and hit for average against more advanced pitching. He's a better hitter from the right side, as he tends to get out in front and a little jumpy batting lefthanded. Borchering has little chance of remaining at third base, because he lacks quick feet and has slightly below-average arm strength. He has below-average speed, so his only potential destinations are first base and left field. Borchering is still far from reaching his potential. He'll likely move one level at a time and figures to spend 2011 in high Class A, once again in a third-base timeshare with Davidson.
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  Ranked Arizona Diamondbacks #2 prospect in 2010
  In a deep 2009 high school draft class in Florida, Borchering was regarded as the best hitter available. The first of Arizona's five picks before the second round, he went 16th overall and signed for $1.8 million. He struggled early at Rookie-level Missoula, but went 9-for-28 with four doubles, two homers and 10 RBIs in six postseason games. Borchering draws comparisons to Chipper Jones because he's a Florida native with a similar frame who switch-hits and has a lot of pop in his bat. Borchering rated as the top prep power hitter in the draft and has the potential to be a middle-of-the-order force. Better from the left side of the plate, he has excellent bat speed and an advanced feel to hit. He has the arm strength to play third base. Borchering never will be a smooth defender. He'll have to work hard to stay at third base, though the Diamondbacks believe he can. His footwork has improved, but he'll have to get more consistent in fielding the ball cleanly and making accurate throws. He also needs to tighten his plate discipline, as he tends to chase high fastballs and low curveballs. Borchering will open his first full season at low Class A South Bend, probably alternating at third base and DH with supplemental first-rounder Matt Davidson. If Borchering has to eventually change positions, he'll have enough power to profile well at first base.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Pioneer League #3 prospect in 2009
  Taken 16th overall in June, Borchering was the highest drafted player to play in the Pioneer League. He signed for $1.8 million just ahead of the deadline and didn't hit much during the regular season. But his bat came alive in the playoffs, when he hit .321 with seven extra-base hits and 10 RBIs in six games. An imposing 6-foot-4, Borchering hits for power from both sides of the plate. His plus bat speed and fluid swing will enable him to hit for average, while his strong hands and slight uppercut should translate into above-average power. Borchering was especially strong from the left side in his debut, but he tended to chase pitches out of the zone because he was geared to hit fastballs. His long arms leave him susceptible to hard stuff in. Borchering's agility and speed rate as below-average, and his hands are fringy. He committed five errors in 20 games at third base. He has a strong arm but will have to work hard to avoid a move across the diamond to first.

• December, 2010 Scouting Report
  Background: One of the top high school hitters in the 2009 draft, Borchering went 16th overall as the first of five Arizona picks before the second round. Signed for $1.8 million, he joined many others from his deep draft class last year at South Bend, where he split time at third base with Matt Davidson and also DHed. Scouting Report: A switch-hitter, Borchering has has all-star caliber raw power from both sides of the plate but struggled with his swing and approach in his first full pro season. He started using the whole field more later in the season, which was reflected in his .305/.385/.532 numbers in the final month. He'll have to continue adjusting to make more consistent contact and hit for average against more advanced pitching. He's a better hitter from the right side, as he tends to get out in front and a little jumpy batting lefthanded. Borchering has little chance of remaining at third base, because he lacks quick feet and has slightly below-average arm strength. He has below-average speed, so his only potential destinations are first base and left field. The Future: Borchering is still far from reaching his potential. He'll likely move one level at a time and figures to spend 2011 in high Class A, once again in a third-base timeshare with Davidson.