Rangers fans fear Julio Borbon

Harry S. Truman?

I'm not sure how his power grades out, but toolsy OF's with "leadoff" skills and low OBP's often struggle to be productive major-leaguers.

If Borbon has decent power, he might be able to overcome the low OBP and become a Carl Crawford type, or if he's got good power, Torii Hunter. If not, he's headed for the Juan Pierre/Joey Gathright bin- and the upside of players like that is usually pretty small.

i could probably live with him if they take him at 24....as long as LaPorta is already off the board.

If he hits #600 before the deadline, I think he's shipped out. If not, I think he stays for financial reasons.

i'm thinking he's here for the year unless his june is like his month of april, then he might be tradeable.

In the comments under the reporter's trade "idea," fans chime in. I haven't counted the yeas and nays, but more than a few have said "NO DEAL!!"

Man.

http://www.startribune.com/blogs/sinker/?p=112

quoting some "scouting directors"

College Players Disappoint
On both the hitting and pitching sides, the college talent level has disappointed. When it comes to position players, there's Georgia Tech catcher Matt Wieters, and then an uninspiring group of low-ceiling safe picks that many evaluators have trouble getting excited about. "It's a very, very, thin position group in the college ranks," said one scouting director. "Health is definitely a factor here," he added. "If guys like the pair at Tennessee, [outfielder Julio] Borbon and [catcher J.P.] Arencibia can get healthy, they might separate themselves -- but overall, the talent is just all right at best."

Another scouting director saw the lack of elite talent moving some players into draft positions that are significantly higher than the talent merits.

"There are those teams out there, that for philosophical purposes, are going to focus on college players," said the lead scout. "That's going to push some guys up into the first round that don't belong there. So you're drafting a decent player, but his draft status and bonus is that of a future star." Another agreed with the assessment by adding, "There's just not a lot of guys where you look at them and say, 'This guy is really going to hit'."

"The top college outfielder in a draft virtually devoid of them..."
"At his best, Borbon is a top-of-the-order hitter who makes sharp contact and changes games with his plus speed. He's more than a slap-and-run type, with above-average bat speed and some sock in his bat. A Dominican native, he has an aggressive approach and doesn't walk often. His defense is adequate, but he could improve his reads and routes. A popular comparison for Borbon is Johnny Damon, for the pop in his bat as well as his speed and well-below-average arm."