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August 27, 2007

Future Shock

Monday Morning Ten-Pack

by Kevin Goldstein

Joe Borchard, OF, Triple-A Albuquerque (Marlins)

Seven years ago, Borchard signed for what was at the time a record $5.3 million bonus, but he was seemingly unable to curb his high strikeout totals, getting picked up on waivers by the Mariners and then the Marlins this year.  Hitting .196/.287/.313 for Florida this year, Borchard was once again waived two weeks ago, but nobody showed any interest and the Marlins were able to keep him and assign him to Triple-A Albuquerque.  He’s not suddenly a prospect, but he is suddenly one of the hottest hitters in the minors.  Playing in one of the friendliest home parks around doesn’t hurt, but what Borchard has done would be impressive anywhere, as the 28-year-old former Stanford quarterback hit two home runs Friday, another one Saturday and now sits at a whopping .458/.526/1.021 in his first 14 games for the Isotopes, going 22-for-48 overall with eight home runs.  I’m not sure it means anything at all for Borchard’s long-term future, but it’s certainly worth noting.

Trevor Cahill, RHP, Low A Kane County (Athletics)

The A’s have a solid history of pitchers putting up some big numbers at Kane County, but for the most part they were older college veterans taking advantage of rest of the league’s youth, and for the most part they didn’t have the prospect status to match the numbers. For every Joe Blanton, there was a Brad Knox or a Steven Bondurant.  Trevor Cahill is a little different.  Oakland’s top draft pick last year (second round), Cahill is just 19, and his future is looking very bright these days.  On Saturday, the righthander allowed one run on two hits over six innings while striking out seven, extending an eight-game streak in which the California native has an 0.91 ERA while allowing just 23 hits in 49.1 innings while striking out 52.  With a low-90s fastball that touches 93 and one of the better curveballs in the system, Cahill has the stuff to match the stats and is arguably the top minor-league pitcher the A's have.

Johnny Cueto, RHP, Double-A Chattanooga (Reds)