Mark Borcherding saw 5 seasons, made single-A with Reds

Mark Borcherding was one of the better pitchers to come through Lewis and Clark Community College, his coach Scott Posey told The Alton Telegraph in 1987.

He also had the potential to take the next step, Posey told The Telegraph.

"He needs to increase his velocity if he wants to play pro baseball," Posey told The Telegraph. "But the potential is there. I think a guy like him who has a 82 mph fast ball that moves is going to be tough on people."

Borcherding eventually turned pro two years later, in 1989. His pro career, though, lasted only three seasons. He never saw AA.

Borcherding's career began that year in 1989, taken by the Reds in the 22nd round of the draft out of Bradley University. He moved on to Bradley from Lewis and Clark.

With the Reds, Borcherding started at rookie Billings. In 13 starts, he went 4-4, with a 3.97 ERA. He held Salt Lake scoreless into the fifth in a July game.

He split time in 1990 between single-A Cedar Rapids and single-A Charleston. At Charleston, he got into six relief outings, picking up four losses.

At Cedar Rapids, though, he pitched better. In 21 outings, nine starts, he had a 1.45 ERA. He also picked up three saves. He picked up a seven-inning win in a July game.

For 1991, Borcherding returned to Cedar Rapids. In 26 games, 21 starts, he posted a 4.40 ERA and a 9-6 record. He also made the Midwest League All-Star team. But was his final season with the Reds.

Baseball-Reference records Borcherding returning for two more seasons, in 1995 and 1996, in independent ball with Grays Harbor and Clarksville, ending his career.

• Alton Telegraph, April 30, 1987: Borcherding is 'big guy' for Bucks

More: The 1990 Charleston Wheelers

1990 Minor League Tally
Players/Coaches Featured:1,513
Made the Majors: 750 - 49.6%
Never Made Majors: 763-50.4%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 326
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 193

More 1990 Minor Leaguers:

 - Tom Bolton pitched well in Tigers start, saw 8 bigs seasons, 11/8/13
 - Brian Boltz learned new grip in college, saw 3 pro seasons, 4/6/15
 - Marc Bombard pitched in minors, became minors manager, 7/15/14
 - Daven Bond saw 7 pro seasons, then turned softball coach, 7/4/16

 - Ricky Bones used luck, opportunity over 11 majors seasons, 3/28/20

 - George Bonilla made college record book, pros, saw AAA, 1/26/12
 - Eddie Bonine was baseball guy, went into HS athletics, 12/23/13
 - Jeffry Bonner hit well in long Clinton game, saw 3 seasons, 1/20/15
 - Eric Booker saw five pro seasons, made AA with Athletics, 3/21/14
 - Greg Booker saw eight majors seasons, seven with Padres, 7/29/10