The Pirates have outrighted catcher John Bormann, per a club announcement (h/t John Dreker of PiratesProspects.com). That leaves Pittsburgh with a pair of open 40-man spots.
Bormann, 24, received his first MLB call-up recently when the organization had a sudden need for a backstop. He did get a single plate appearance, though he struck out. Of course, Bormann wasn’t expected to see the majors anywhere near so soon as this. He has only just reached the High-A level and had struggled there in the early going.
Pittsburgh already moved earlier this week to install a more viable replacement, recalling Elias Diaz. The club is carrying three catchers while waiting for Francisco Cervelli to return to health.
$5 bucks says he gets picked up by Rockies….
Deal
Going to owe a lot of people money since he was outrighted and not sent through waivers.
He got outrighted. That means he already cleared waivers so no, he will not get picked up by the Rockies.
What’s missed in this story is the fact that the reason Bormann was recalled in the first place was because there was not enough time for the team to get any other minor league catcher to Miami. An assistant drove him 2 1/2 hours to Miami and he was able to get to the game by the 2nd inning. Location, location, location
Plus, he was a backup in Bradenton to boot. Much less chance of the Rockies claiming this guy than one of the other catchers. :)
Borman is a great kid and it was nice to see him get a call up. That jump from high A to the majors is a huge one, so it was a big surprise to see him in the majors in 2017. If any 4th year college player drafted in the 24th round can make it to the majors and stick, it would have to be a kid like Borman who flat out works his tail off. Have to applaud him for going back to complete his degree after being drafted in the 19th round in 2014 instead of signing with the Angels.
While I imagine this is probably it for him as an MLB player, he made it a lot farther than most professional players, and, due to the unique situation that led to his call-up, he likely never gets there if he signs with the Angels, so his work ethic and decision to return to school paid off handsomely with his lifetime health care. Cool story all around
From what I read, his call up qualifies him for MLB healthcare for the rest of his life now. So another great perk for Borman.
wasted money on cervelli. bucs also keep stewart on the team like an old hound dog….just get rid of him (wait, more wasted money). bucs haven’t had a good catcher since jason kendall. You’re in a division with speedy guys like villar, hamilton, etc. cmon. I’m sure on this planet they can find a catcher that can hit, throw out a guy and stay healthy. I’m not asking for Posey or johnny bench, but someone, someone!
So Russel Martin isn’t a good catcher? And why does everyone knock Cervelli? He’s a pretty good catcher, not the greatest, but he plays good defense and isn’t an easy out.
Harvey must be from Pittsburgh and listens regularly to the talk radio there. Rule number one for a faithful follower of the talking heads in the Burgh is to believe what the talking heads say and treat is the 5th gospel. Rule number 2 is to bash the Pirates front office and ownership no matter what the situation is. It is always that cheap Nuttings fault and front office has no clue as to what they are doing. Must not be too old or else he would have said no catcher since the Mike Lavaliere/Don Slaught combo or Manny Sanguilen. Yes, Martin was good while we had him and thank goodness, the Pirates did not try to out bid the Jays for him