Joe Borchard

Infobox MLB player
name = Joe Borchard


width = 183
caption = Borchard, with the Marlins in June 2007
team = Atlanta Braves
number = 26
position = Outfielder
birthdate = birth date and age|1978|11|25
birthplace = city-state|Panorama City|California
bats = Switch
throws = Right
debutdate = September 2
debutyear = 2002
debutteam = Chicago White Sox
statyear = 2007
stat1label = Batting average
stat1value = .205
stat2label = Home runs
stat2value = 26
stat3label = Runs batted in
stat3value = 77
stat4label = Stolen Bases
stat4value = 7
teams =
*Chicago White Sox (by|2002-by|2005)
*Seattle Mariners (by|2006)
*Florida Marlins (by|2006-by|2007)

Joseph Edward Borchard (born November 25, 1978, in Panorama City, California) is a Major League Baseball player with the Atlanta Braves organization. Borchard was the 12th pick of the first round in the 2000 Major League Baseball Draft out of Stanford University by the Chicago White Sox. In high school he won a division III state football championship at Adolfo Camarillo High School as the starting quarterback. He also played quarterback for Stanford and took a $5.3 million signing bonus to play for the White Sox. The signing bonus was the highest ever given to a player for a minor league contract until Justin Upton received $6.1 million to sign with the Arizona Diamondbacks in by|2005. Drafted for his blend of talent and baseball intellect, Borchard posted extremely impressive numbers while at Stanford, both as an outfielder and a quarterback.Fact|date=February 2007

Joe Borchard's career with the White Sox was less than impressive, as he struggled to make consistent contact, which has continued to plague him throughout his career. Borchard's most significant big league playing time came in the by|2004 season, where he received 201 at-bats. He hit .174 that year with 9 home runs and 20 RBI. Borchard's most notable feat was setting the US Cellular Field home run distance record, yet to be eclipsed at 504 feet off of Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Brett Myers.Fact|date=February 2007 Chicago White Sox general manager Kenny Williams believes that Borchard still has a great professional baseball career ahead of him if he can "get the football mentality out of him."Fact|date=February 2007 To which Borchard replied, "have you ever won a state championship for football?"

Borchard was traded to the Seattle Mariners on March 20, by|2006, for Matt Thornton, a journeyman left-handed relief pitcher. On May 3, 2006, the Florida Marlins claimed Borchard off waivers.

The Atlanta Braves signed Borchard to a minor league contract during the 2007 MLB winter meetings in Nashville, TN.

On May 28, 2008, Borchard was told he likely needed season ending Tommy John Surgery.

External links

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