Diamondbacks sign first-round pick Bobby Borchering

From an official press release I just got:

The Arizona Diamondbacks announced today that they have signed infielder Bobby Borchering, their first-round pick (16th overall) in the 2009 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.

"As stated on draft day, we feel that our scouting staff has been able to evaluate Bobby in many arena’s and his physical tools, skills and character always stood out in a positive manner," said Tom Allison, D-backs’ Director of Scouting. "We feel he has a chance to be a run-producing bat for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Today is the culmination of a lot of hard work by area scout, Ray Blanco, and the many others that helped shape our overall evaluation of Bobby. We are thrilled and excited to add Bobby to our organization."

Borchering, 6-4, 195 pounds, was named the Gatorade Florida Baseball Player of the Year, the first such honoree for the Bishop Verot (Fort Myers, Fla.) Vikings. The switch-hitting third baseman, hit .494 (38-for-77) with 33 runs scored, nine doubles, 13 home runs, 37 RBI, 24 walks, .626 on-base percentage and 1.117 slugging percentage in 30 games. The right-hander also pitched in 14 games, posting a 4-4 record with one save and a 1.15 ERA, allowing 19 runs (six earned) in 36.2 innings on 19 hits and 10 walks with 49 strikeouts. He led the Vikings to the Class 3A regional quarterfinals.

Borchering was the eighth high school player taken by the D-backs with their first pick in the draft and first since 2007, when right-handed pitcher Jarrod Parker was selected out of Norwell High School (Bluffton, Ind.) with the ninth overall pick.

Borchering will be assigned to the club’s Rookie level affiliate in Missoula.

Audio courtesy of KTAR 620