The Pittsburgh Pirates signed a familiar name as a minor league free agent today, adding right-handed pitcher Buddy Borden. He will start tonight for Bradenton. Borden was a 7th round draft pick in 2013, who was traded to Tampa Bay for Sean Rodriguez prior to last season.
The Rays moved Borden to relief and he made the Florida State League All-Star team, while also pitching a no-hitter in a spot start. This year, the 24-year-old was pitching in Double-A, where he had a 5.22 ERA in 29.1 innings out of the bullpen. He was recently pitching well, with two runs over his last nine innings, but the Rays released him last week.
In 2014 for West Virginia, Borden had a 3.16 ERA in 128 innings, with 122 strikeouts, a 1.18 WHIP and a .220 BAA.