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JOHN BORMANN, CATCHER
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| Born: April 4, 1993 Height: 6′ 0″ Weight: 200 Bats: Right Throws: Right Drafted: 24th Round, 727th Overall, 2015 How Acquired: Draft College: University of Texas-San Antonio Agent: N/A |
WTM’s PLAYER PROFILE |
| Bormann was drafted in the 19th round in 2014 by the Angels, but decided to return to UTSA for his senior year. He had a better season, posting a .782 OPS, up from a .745 OPS in 2014, but didn’t see any improvements in his stock, going a few spots lower to the Pirates. He did excel at catching base runners, throwing out 45% of base stealers in 2015. Baseball America rated him as the 433rd best player in the draft due to his defense alone, saying that could be enough to get him to the majors. He has good receiving skills, good agility for blocking, and an above-average arm. He could serve in a role similar to Jacob Stallings role, splitting time with other catchers as he moves up. He signed shortly after the draft.
2015 The Pirates sent Bormann to Bristol, where he split the catching duties evenly with Erik Lunde and Tomas Morales. He also started four games at first. Bormann hit very little, which wasn’t unexpected. He threw out 22% of opposing base stealers. 2016 Bormann was the backup catcher behind Christian Kelley at West Virginia; he became the starter late in the year when the Pirates promoted Kelley to Bradenton. Bormann didn’t hit a great deal, although he at least made contact most of the time and showed a little power. He threw out 27% of base stealers, which was actually a little lower than Kelley and Raul Hernandez, who replaced Kelley, both of whom threw out 36%. 2017 Bormann had an eventful season. He started off at Bradenton, backing up Kelley again. At the end of April, though, The Pirates called him up as an emergency measure because Francisco Cervelli was unable to play. The team chose Bormann because they were in Miami and he was playing in Port Charlotte, so he could just drive to the game. He got into the game, which was a blowout, as a pinch hitter, then was sent back down the next day. He was outrighted off the roster a few days later and finished the season back at Bradenton, apart from a brief appearance in Indianapolis. While with Bradenton he struggled at the plate, apart from showing good patience. He threw out 32% of base stealers, which was actually better than Kelley. 2018 Bormann filled in at three different levels in 2018. Much of the time he wasn’t on an active roster, but he’d be added when injuries or promotions created a need somewhere. Between the three levels, Bormann threw out a quarter of opposing base stealers. Bormann will likely serve in the same role in 2019. |
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CONTRACT INFORMATION
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| 2019: Minor League Contract |
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PLAYER INFORMATION
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| Signing Bonus: MiLB Debut: 2015 MLB Debut: 4/30/2017 MiLB FA Eligible: N/A MLB FA Eligible: 2023 Rule 5 Eligible: N/A Added to 40-Man: 4/30/2017 Options Remaining: 3 MLB Service Time: 0.001 |
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TRANSACTIONS
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| June 7, 2014: Drafted by the Los Angeles Angels in the 19th round, 569th overall pick. June 10, 2015: Drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 24th round, 727th overall pick; signed on June 18. April 30, 2017: Contract purchased by the Pittsburgh Pirates. May 3, 2017: Outrighted to Bradenton by the Pittsburgh Pirates. |
