The Pittsburgh Pirates have signed 7th round pick Buddy Borden, according to Jim Callis.
#Pirates sign 7th-rder Buddy Borden for $180,400. UNLV RHP, 90-92 mph fastball that reaches 95. #mlbdraft
— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) July 8, 2013
Borden was the last of the top ten round picks to sign. He was seeking an over-slot deal, but ended up signing for exactly slot. It’s possible that he was also holding out for slot, since a few players in the top ten rounds signed for below slot value.
Borden sits in the low 90s with his fastball, and reaches as high as 96. He throws a curve and a changeup, but neither pitch is strong. He improved his command during his junior year, and was named the Mountain West Co-Pitcher of the Year with first rounder Braden Shipley. Borden will probably be used as a starter in Jamestown. Long-term he will probably get a shot as a starter, but his ability to remain in the rotation will depend on whether he can improve his secondary stuff.
The Draft Pick Signing Tracker is updated with the move. The Pirates now have $107,800 to spend on over-slot deals, although there were rumors that Erich Weiss signed for $305,000. That would put them over their draft pool, but not enough to lose a draft pick.
