Bishop Verot’s Borchering drafted by Diamondbacks

Bishop Verot third baseman, a Florida signee, must pick after Diamondbacks draft him in the first round.

BOB REDDY | FLORIDA CATHOLIC VENICE BUREAU EDITOR

Posted: 06.12.09

FORT MYERS | Bobby Borchering has always dreamed of playing in the major leagues.

The Bishop Verot graduate’s dream took a huge step forward June 9 when he was taken 16th overall in the Major League Baseball first–year player draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks. Borchering was rated one of the best prep hitters and is the highest–drafted player in Bishop Verot history.

He now has the enviable decision to take a potentially huge signing bonus — estimated at up to $2 million — or go to the University of Florida and play and maybe improve his draft status in the future, earning him even more money.

Borchering, a 6–foot–4, 200–pound, switch–hitter, has power from both sides of the plate. He played third base in high school and while some scouts see his future at first base, Diamondbacks scouting director Tom Allison said he will start out at third in the Arizona system and be given every opportunity to remain at third base.

“I just kind of went about the day like a routine day and tried not to think about it too much,” Borchering said of his draft–day experiences. He worked out to relieve some excess energy and then he waited.

“When I was called by the Diamondbacks I got very excited and was overcome with emotion,” he said.

The 18–year–old Alva resident who graduated in May had a .494 batting average, 37 RBIs, 33 runs scored, 13 home runs with a 1.117 slugging percentage and .626 on–base percentage while leading the Vikings (15–15) to the Class 3A region quarterfinals, where they fell to St. Petersburg Catholic 7–4. He was also a right–handed relief pitcher and finished with a 4–4 record and a save, with a 1.15 ERA and 49 strikeouts in 36 2/3 innings.

Borchering was recently named Gatorade Florida Baseball Player of the Year and was a Rawlings Preseason First–Team All–American.

Borchering maintained a 3.17 GPA at Verot. A mentor to local elementary school students and a youth baseball instructor, he has also volunteered at a local food bank and as a peer tutor.

Borchering said the Verot baseball program and the school’s academics exceeded all his wildest expectations.

“I credit Verot with helping me to mature and be better prepared for the decisions I have to make in the future,” he said.

His mother, Linda Borchering, said sending her son to Verot was the best investment the family ever made.

“Bishop Verot kept him grounded, because every student is valued and respected,” she said. “He has also grown through the religious and moral teachings which were character building for him. He is now prepared for living a Christian life.”

Verot coach Tom LoSauro said that as hard as Borchering worked on improving his skills as a player — which included work at home with an indoor batting machine and a baseball field built in his backyard or chopping wood and carrying medicine balls to build his strength— he also dedicated himself to academics.

“His work ethic bled over into the classroom,” LoSauro said.

That work paid off when he was named the Rotary Club of Fort Myers South’s Student–Athlete of the Year, given to outstanding athletes who also maintain a high GPA.

LoSauro said it was privilege coaching Borchering, noting that he came to high school as a very good player but Bishop Verot offered him opportunities to get noticed and participate in summer all–star leagues.

Borchering is just the most recent Verot draftee. Tommy Winrow was drafted in the second round by the New York Yankees in 1999 and Adam Piatt in the 10th round by the N.Y. Mets in the 1994. Piatt was later drafted in the eighth round by the Oakland A’s in 1997 after playing at Mississippi State.

Borchering has been compared to Atlanta Braves star Chipper Jones, a comparison he said he is honored to receive.

“It’s definitely exciting to hear those things,” he said. “I know there are a lot of similarities between us and it’s exciting to hear that stuff.”

There are reports that he is seeking a $2 million signing bonus, but Borchering said his parents are letting him make his own decision about his future. He added that he will wait and see what the Diamondbacks offer before deciding on whether to go to the University of Florida.

Another recent diocesan graduate, right–handed pitcher Michael Heller of Cardinal Mooney High School in Sarasota, was drafted in the 29th round by the Pittsburgh Pirates on June 10. Heller, who is from Bradenton, finished 5–4 with a save and 77 strikeouts in 54 innings, and a 2.50 ERA for the Cougars. He also hit .408 with six home runs and 19 RBIs. He also signed to play at the University of Florida.

Teams have until Aug. 15 to sign draft choices, otherwise they lose their rights.

Return to Diocese of Venice Front Page