Joe Borchard

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Joe Borchard

Borchard, with the Marlins in June of 2007
Atlanta Braves — No. 26
Outfielder
Born: November 25, 1978 (1978-11-25) (age 29) Panorama City, California
Bats: Switch	Throws: Right
Major League Baseball debut
September 2, 2002 for the Chicago White Sox
Selected MLB statistics (through 2007)
Batting average	.205
Home runs	26
Runs batted in	77
Teams
Chicago White Sox (2002-2005) Seattle Mariners (2006) Florida Marlins (2006-2007)

Joseph Edward Borchard (born November 25, 1978, in Panorama City, California) is a Major League Baseball player with the Atlanta Braves. Borchard was the 12th pick of the first round in the 2000 MLB amateur draft out of Stanford University by the Chicago White Sox. 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 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.^{[citation needed]}

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 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.^{[citation needed]} 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."^{[citation needed]}

Borchard was traded to the Seattle Mariners on March 20, 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 *

• Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference