19JUNE2012
Original article link: PCL Notes – Borbon taking the high road, by Chris Jackson
Many prospects reach the Major Leagues, struggle to establish themselves and disappear back into the Minors. Julio Borbon is doing his best to make sure he is not a forgotten man.
The Rangers outfielder has exploded over his last 24 games with Round Rock, batting 0.448 (47-for-105).
“It’s just one of those roller-coasters you go on during the season,” Borbon said. “You just make the most out of them. I’m feeling good at the plate, just trying to keep it going.”
Borbon was a highly touted prospect after Texas took him with the 35th overall selection in the 2007 Draft out of Tennessee. He hit .321 with 53 stolen bases in his first full season in 2008 between Class A Advanced Bakersfield and Double-A Frisco.
After starting 2009 with Triple-A Oklahoma City, Borbon moved up to the Majors and hit .312 in 46 games.
The Rangers handed him their center-field job in 2010, but his numbers (.276 average, .309 on-base percentage, 15 stolen bases) fell short of expectations.
Borbon put up similarly mediocre numbers (.270, .305, six) to start 2011, so Texas sent him back to Triple-A.
Rather than let himself be disappointed in his demotion, Borbon has turned the negative into a positive.
“It’s been a great experience actually,” Borbon said. “It’s been something that, looking back, it’s going to make me stronger mentally for the rest of my career. I’m not going to take things for granted.”
Borbon recently boasted a 21-game hitting streak in the midst of his hot stretch. He has 15 multiple-hit games in his last 24 games. After he went 0-for-4 on Thursday to end the 
hitting streak, Borbon went 7-for-9 on Friday and Saturday.
“It’s been primarily the mental adjustment more than anything,” Borbon said. “Especially from the beginning (of the season), coming here and not making the (big-league) club. I wasn’t there at the beginning, but once you realize there’s only so much you can do, there’s so many things you can control, you can just go out there and perform.”
For the season, Borbon is hitting .328 (80-for-244) with seven homers — tying his career high — and 32 RBIs.
Borbon was passed over for a callup Friday in favor of teammate and fellow outfielder Leonys Martin. While that does not mean Borbon is out of the Rangers’ plans, he said he is aware that, at this stage of his career, he is willing to accept that he is playing for 29 other teams as well.
“It’s out of my hands,” Borbon said. “It’s one of those things you think about, but it’s one of those things you can’t control. We have a ton of talent here. The Rangers have their plans. I can make my plans, but in the end, it doesn’t matter because it’s up to them. Right now, I’m enjoying myself here.”
Filed under: 2012: USA Minor League Player Updates
Tagged with: 2012 MiLB, Julio Borbon, Texas Rangers
