Each season it seems the Shorebirds have a guy whose sole job it is to get left-handed hitters out and this year’s squad was no exception. But Brett Bordes is getting more than just lefties out, he’s shutting down most opposition batters regardless of which side of the plate they’re hitting from. Bearing this out is the fact lefthanders are hitting just .188 against Brett. In itself that’s quite stingy but righthanded hitters are hitting an even more anemic .172 against his offerings.
This is the second tour of duty with Delmarva for the Arizona State product. Even though his 2007 overall numbers weren’t terrible at all (3-2, 3.09 ERA with 2 saves in 32 appearances covering 43 2/3 innings) what likely held him back was allowing 37 walks against just 34 strikeouts. This season he’s cut the walks in half and it shows in the much-improved 2.22 ERA and 1.19 WHIP (vs. a 1.58 WHIP last season.) Since he’s still only 23, the native of New Orleans can still stay with his peer group by moving up to Frederick either by the end of 2008 or to begin 2009. Obviously the Orioles thought well of his talent since Brett was a 9th round selection in the 2006 draft.
One other reason to like Brett is that he’s one of the more fan-friendly Shorebirds – Bordes is one of a group of players who seems more willing to sign autographs and interact with the fans than most. I enjoy seeing him and those other friendly Shorebirds talking to kids because it gives the young’uns a good impression of baseball players and may entice them to embrace the sport themselves. After all, when Brett is through with baseball we’d like someone to take his place and it’s the youth of today who will be Shorebirds in a few short years.
Wow! I pretty sure i can say this for everyone that was on the team this year, we ALL miss brett so much!!!! but we are very happy for him that he got moved up to Frederick! And i KNOW i can say this for me and my good friends the Gottfried’s(the people that housed Brett), we really want him back! We all love him!! We all miss him!!