At #35, Rangers select Julio Borbon, U-Tenn CF

by Adam J. Morris on Jun 7, 2007 4:29 PM CDT in News

Julio Borbon. We've talked about him at length. Centerfielder, very fast but not a great basestealer, has issues with his jumps, can supposedly hit for average and has a little pop, but not much power and doesn't walk.

At #17, I would have been furious. At #24, I would have been disappointed. At #35...okay, I can live with it.

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Woulda liked Griffith or Harvey

But i don't mind him here as well. Also, Harvey seems a sure bet to go to college.

by Longhorn on Jun 7, 2007 4:24 PM CDT reply actions

My thoughts

exactly.

"The boxing scenes in 'Million Dollar Baby' were so realistic, I initially thought it was a documentary." -Brian Thomas

by thedirkatron on Jun 7, 2007 4:29 PM CDT up reply actions

Funny, that's exactly what I wrote to Jamey

"i can live with it at 35, i guess. like i have a choice."

by Lucas on Jun 7, 2007 4:24 PM CDT reply actions

me too Adam

who knows witht he slide, maybe Harvey is there with our next pick.

by JJStuart on Jun 7, 2007 4:25 PM CDT reply actions

x

Yan>Borbon>Nivar

Arias is the third cousin of David Ortiz? Sucks for Big Papi...

by miles on Jun 7, 2007 4:25 PM CDT reply actions

miles

you really don't know what you are talking about. which is fine, just new people on the board might actually think you do.

Forget Johnny Bench, we got Gerry "the Jet" Laird

by ab03 on Jun 7, 2007 4:28 PM CDT up reply actions

Borbon isn't

good, he didn't play against good competition. He's really just fast...

Everyone knows that the Yan thing is a joke, my point is that Borbon isn't good.

Arias is the third cousin of David Ortiz? Sucks for Big Papi...

by miles on Jun 7, 2007 4:31 PM CDT up reply actions

not everyone

and i was specifically referring to new people. and its fine that you've formed an opinion but it sounds like your opinions are based on what someone like Scott said and it sounds like he's not as upset with it as you.

Forget Johnny Bench, we got Gerry "the Jet" Laird

by ab03 on Jun 7, 2007 4:35 PM CDT up reply actions

i hate this pick

we pass on porchello, that i understand (at 24)

but passing on harvey at 35, here for borboun is redic.

tom hicks (if he wouldnt open up his wallet) needs to be run out of town on a rail tomorrow.

im really dissapointed.

by knockoutking24 on Jun 7, 2007 4:26 PM CDT reply actions

Well

The odds are that at least one of our bounty of five picks in the first & supplemental rounds is going to bust. At least by picking Borbon, we've improved the odds on the other ones making it. :)

"Then I met some friends for a beer, went to a BoDeans's concert, and son of a vondruke, if I didn't leave him at the concert hall."

by RCCook on Jun 7, 2007 4:27 PM CDT reply actions

I just

don't see him being a major leaguer. I mean a good shot this pick isn't anyhow, but how about a guy like Russell with big time power but a hole. Instead we take a guy that really hasn't hit that well in college, and think he MIGHT be able to hit in the pros.

Fast guy that can't steal.
CFer with a minus arm.
CFer with ok defense.

What is to like about this guy?

"Everyone in the world thinks they know everyhing" - DStar

by Mike Simonek on Jun 7, 2007 4:28 PM CDT reply actions

Borbon

I think his upside is as a Juan Pierre type. Personally, I don't think much of Pierre, but a lot of people do.

Hopefully he proves us all wrong, because he's ours now. Well, as soon as he signs, anyway.

"Then I met some friends for a beer, went to a BoDeans's concert, and son of a vondruke, if I didn't leave him at the concert hall."

by RCCook on Jun 7, 2007 4:34 PM CDT up reply actions

Pierre

he is ok in my book, but I don't see why you would take a guy whose CEILING is Juan Pierre. Now if you had a guarantee then sure, but if his absolute best (which is generally what comps are) is Pierre then move on.

You made a good point though. He is now ours. Go Borbon and Mayberry - our oufield of the future. Oh and Cruz.

2010 Outfield: Cruz, Borbon, and Mayberry. World Series here we come

"Everyone in the world thinks they know everyhing" - DStar

by Mike Simonek on Jun 7, 2007 4:54 PM CDT up reply actions

Nah

Whittleman, Borbon and Herren. (Left to right.)

"The boxing scenes in 'Million Dollar Baby' were so realistic, I initially thought it was a documentary." -Brian Thomas

by thedirkatron on Jun 7, 2007 7:52 PM CDT up reply actions

juan pierre

I've heard the kenny lofton comparison alot. that is a good player to be compared to.

by acgunter on Jun 7, 2007 11:17 PM CDT up reply actions

our next pick is almost here

i love this fast pace. Harvey is still there. I'd say Middlebrooks here, but I think he's going to A&M.

by Longhorn on Jun 7, 2007 4:28 PM CDT reply actions

Griffith!

That'd be a dream at 44.

"The boxing scenes in 'Million Dollar Baby' were so realistic, I initially thought it was a documentary." -Brian Thomas

by thedirkatron on Jun 7, 2007 4:31 PM CDT up reply actions

I

live in Texarkana, and I was told he was gonna sign if he was drafted in top 2 rounds. Don't know if that meant first round and sandwich picks or after the actual 2nd round?

by fsujon on Jun 7, 2007 4:33 PM CDT up reply actions

Basicly another flushed pick

in the long list of Ranger draft picks who had tools, but no ability to play baseball.

Mitt Romney should "get out his small-varmint gun and drive those Guatemalans off his lawn" -- Sen John McCain

by DJCahill on Jun 7, 2007 4:29 PM CDT reply actions

right

so everybody is wrong on bourbon? who would you have taken?

Forget Johnny Bench, we got Gerry "the Jet" Laird

by ab03 on Jun 7, 2007 4:31 PM CDT up reply actions

Harvey

Yeah, yeah. I know. I should defer to the wisdom of the Rangers Braintrust.

However I was unable to do that when they picked Scott Heard, Drew Meyer, Thomas Diamond or John Mayberry Jr.

Maybe if the Rangers brass had a track record of proving me wrong, my gut instinct would be that I am wrong rather than them.

Mitt Romney should "get out his small-varmint gun and drive those Guatemalans off his lawn" -- Sen John McCain

by DJCahill on Jun 7, 2007 5:11 PM CDT up reply actions

Well...

Fuson, Melvin and Hart are all gone, so Heard, Meyer, Diamond and Mayberry don't necessarily have a huge amount of relevance to this draft.

Not saying that Hopkins won't blow it, but the fact that the Rangers took those guys isn't exactly on him.

by Adam J. Morris on Jun 7, 2007 6:14 PM CDT up reply actions

Still

I don't see any reason to defer to them when they take the kind of player I hate. All tools, little actual performance, and his biggest attribute seems to be speed.

People are probably sick of hearing me say it, but there are no more overrated players than speedy overrated players. Somehow, scouts almost seem to think that speed is a more important thing to have in a 18-21 year old than a demonstrated ability to hit.

Mitt Romney should "get out his small-varmint gun and drive those Guatemalans off his lawn" -- Sen John McCain

by DJCahill on Jun 8, 2007 8:06 AM CDT up reply actions

Diamond??

He was not a reach. BA had him at #11 and the Rangers picked him 10th. He wasn't a bad choice at the time (though I felt like Hurley would be better).

by Redcaps on Jun 7, 2007 10:19 PM CDT up reply actions

There was a guy called

Weaver on the board, who was less of a reach.

Mitt Romney should "get out his small-varmint gun and drive those Guatemalans off his lawn" -- Sen John McCain

by DJCahill on Jun 8, 2007 5:56 AM CDT up reply actions

bourbon

i mean, the rangers havea draft board. it would have been ridiculous to think that bourbon wasn't on there at all. So then, who would have been higher than him on that board? BPA, right?

Forget Johnny Bench, we got Gerry "the Jet" Laird

by ab03 on Jun 7, 2007 4:30 PM CDT reply actions

A's get their Doolittle

by Longhorn on Jun 7, 2007 4:31 PM CDT reply actions

I like Doolittle

He's a safe pick that I wish the Rangers had made.

Derek

Signature! I don't need no stinking signature!!

by DerekSTheRed on Jun 7, 2007 4:35 PM CDT up reply actions

harvey

still there, so can't say the rangers should have picked him over bourbon. russel is still there as well.

Forget Johnny Bench, we got Gerry "the Jet" Laird

by ab03 on Jun 7, 2007 4:33 PM CDT reply actions

borbon

I'm really anxious to hear the reasoning behind this pick. I like JD, but i find myself losing faith more and more as time goes on.

Mayberry is a stud. Just give it time.

by i hit straight ball very much on Jun 7, 2007 4:34 PM CDT reply actions

Well...

It makes me feel better hearing goldstein likes the pick and everyone else is treating harvey like he is radioactive.

Mayberry is a stud. Just give it time.

by i hit straight ball very much on Jun 7, 2007 4:37 PM CDT up reply actions

How many rounds today?

by Longhorn on Jun 7, 2007 4:34 PM CDT reply actions

at least 5

I think, they will not begin another round later than 8:30 ET.

by t ball on Jun 7, 2007 4:35 PM CDT up reply actions

Don't really like this pick.

Alot of interesting guys still on the board: St. Clair, Corey Brown, Harvey, Middlebrooks. I don't think Bourbon is obviously a better player than this list.

People rarely live up to their baby pictures.

by rooster on Jun 7, 2007 4:34 PM CDT reply actions

Lets keep this fact in mind

Most of you just sit on your ass in your boxers and watch the Rangers.

Which of course means you actually know jack shit, so don't crucify the guy untill he actually starts to suck.

Innocent untill proven guilty.
Prospect untill proven shitty.

by TexGoesYard on Jun 7, 2007 4:35 PM CDT reply actions

so

if the rangers picked your mom you would say the same thing?

Forget Johnny Bench, we got Gerry "the Jet" Laird

by ab03 on Jun 7, 2007 4:36 PM CDT up reply actions

My mom

Does not play baseball.

by TexGoesYard on Jun 7, 2007 4:37 PM CDT up reply actions

so

if the rangers picked my mom, you would have no problem?

Forget Johnny Bench, we got Gerry "the Jet" Laird

by ab03 on Jun 7, 2007 4:38 PM CDT up reply actions

Depends

Would have to get a look at her

by TexGoesYard on Jun 7, 2007 4:39 PM CDT up reply actions

really?

you seem to be fine wiht bourbon without looking at him

Forget Johnny Bench, we got Gerry "the Jet" Laird

by ab03 on Jun 7, 2007 4:41 PM CDT up reply actions

I am not for him or against him

Untill he gets some time in the system.

If he sucks, then we can rant and rave about what a bad pick it was.

If your mom can rake, im all for her to.

by TexGoesYard on Jun 7, 2007 4:44 PM CDT up reply actions

So you've said

about 15 times today. Shut up and have another drink.

by t ball on Jun 7, 2007 4:36 PM CDT up reply actions

Why?

Everybody else says the same thing about Borbon about 600 more times than I have said this.

Dont really see a problem

by TexGoesYard on Jun 7, 2007 4:37 PM CDT up reply actions

but

I don't have time to reply to all of them so I'm picking on you.

by t ball on Jun 7, 2007 4:38 PM CDT up reply actions

yes

I agree with you 100%. I love how everyone says how much Borbon is gonna suck, yet publications that actually know baseball rate him fairly high.

I should also note that I am sitting on my ass in my boxers right now. true story.

by acgunter on Jun 7, 2007 5:05 PM CDT up reply actions

ha

...i've been caught blogging at work 5 times today. my job is at risk.

by oc on Jun 7, 2007 5:57 PM CDT up reply actions

We pick Neir Ramirez

okay, now we get into people i have no idea about...eh.

by Longhorn on Jun 7, 2007 4:36 PM CDT reply actions

Dominant stuff

erratic results.

From Goldstein's top 50 overall list:
40. Neil Ramirez, RHP, Kempsville HS (VA)
Pros: Athletic, projectable righty has two plus pitches with low-90s fastball that touches 96, as well as a hard-downer of a curve.
Cons: Inconsistent performances all season; short-arms the ball.

"The boxing scenes in 'Million Dollar Baby' were so realistic, I initially thought it was a documentary." -Brian Thomas

by thedirkatron on Jun 7, 2007 4:39 PM CDT up reply actions

Next pick

Neil Ramirez- another HS righty.

"Then I met some friends for a beer, went to a BoDeans's concert, and son of a vondruke, if I didn't leave him at the concert hall."

by RCCook on Jun 7, 2007 4:36 PM CDT reply actions

Hmm... Ramirez

Never heard of him.

Any idea why they wouldn't take Griffith?

Sickels had him ranked ahead of Beavan and Harvey.

by JonG on Jun 7, 2007 4:38 PM CDT reply actions

niel

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/events/draft_report/y2007/tracker.jsp?mc=ramirez

some stats and stuff

Texas Rangers Own ALL!

by OkieFromMuskogee on Jun 7, 2007 4:38 PM CDT reply actions

Ramirez

#71 on BA's top 200. Looks like a bit of a reach, but here's their analysis:

"Ramirez entered his senior season ranked among the top prep pitchers in the country, but an up-and-down spring has depressed his draft stock. Last summer he ranked as the top prospect in the Cal Ripken Senior League, despite pitching against players that were as many as three years older. Most of his inconsistency this spring stemmed from mechanical flaws, though he also missed a week with a back injury. He has a drop-and-drive delivery and tends to rush to the plate, leaving his arm behind and causing his stuff to flatten out. His velocity has been anywhere from 88-96 mph. He'll flash an above-average curveball at 78 mph, but it gets loose and loopy at 71 mph as well. He has some feel for a changeup. He'll occasionally pitch to both sides of the plate with his fastball, while at other times work deep in counts. He could go as high as the supplemental round to a team that has seen him at his best and believes it can iron out the kinks."

"Then I met some friends for a beer, went to a BoDeans's concert, and son of a vondruke, if I didn't leave him at the concert hall."

by RCCook on Jun 7, 2007 4:39 PM CDT reply actions

Woooo

check out Dave Winfield's shoes on ESPN2. I think they may be a shiny lavender leather.

Ephesians 1:3-10

by kwellborn on Jun 7, 2007 4:41 PM CDT reply actions

My response is just like Scott's and Adam's

At a point, Borbon becomes a value even if he isn't a player that I like. I don't think that 35 is that point, but I mean, it's so much easier to feel okay about it when they already have two of the really good arms in tow.

by Brett Perryman on Jun 7, 2007 4:45 PM CDT reply actions

Here's what I think you have to hope for

from Borbon - that his gap, line drive power generates 15-18 HR (he does have more pop than a Pierre I think) and that the six walk junior season is something that he can change drastically in the pros. His BA wasn't horrible (though neither was Meyer's relatively speaking) and scouts seem to think that he can hit some, though I'm not terribly optimistic about that.

by Brett Perryman on Jun 7, 2007 5:03 PM CDT reply actions