Joe Borchard was back in right field Sunday. He looked comfortable in his original position, making a strong throw to cut down a runner at third base in the All-Star Futures Game.
While the White Sox moved Borchard to center field and have used him there almost exclusively for two years, he could emerge as a regular in any outfield position in the near future, depending on the team’s needs.
“I’ve been playing a little bit of right field,” Borchard said. “They want to work me on the corners a little bit, make me as versatile as I can be.”
Borchard, who is hitting .276 with 12 homers and 34 RBIs with Triple-A Charlotte, was 0-for-3 with two strikeouts as the U.S. team fell to the World team 5-1 in this annual showcase of minor-league prospects. The highlight of his day was a strong throw to third base as Canadian first baseman Justin Morneau (Minnesota) tried to go from first to third on a single by former Kane County Cougars shortstop Miguel Cabrera.
Borchard, who was signed to a $5.2 million bonus as a first-round pick in the 2000 draft, could join the Sox in September, if not before then. Second baseman/center fielder Willie Harris and catcher Josh Paul are the only position players who have received promotions from Charlotte this season.
“That’s their decision,” Borchard said. “All I can do is go out and play. The same thing with [third baseman] Joe Crede. He’s had a great year. It just seems like they are committed to winning, to winning with veterans, this year.”
Borchard knows he still has work to do. He has 78 strikeouts and 28 walks in 66 games.
Like Borchard, Cubs first baseman Hee Seop Choi also had a tough day at the plate. He was 0-for-2 with two strikeouts.
White Sox reliever Edwin Almonte, the closer at Charlotte, faced two hitters for the World team. He allowed one hit and no runs in one-third of an inning. Cubs reliever Francis Beltran, whose cameo in the major leagues ended last week when Tom Gordon was activated, retired the two hitters he faced.
Eye on the ball: Commissioner Bud Selig will not hold any formal news conferences during the All-Star festivities. He is trying to keep the threat of a strike by the players union from spoiling Milwaukee’s first All-Star Game since 1975.
“Arch Ward had it right,” said Selig, referring to the former Chicago Tribune sports editor. “It really is the Midseason Classic. It’s a game for fans, and if we can’t put this all aside for two or three days, then shame on us.”
NL changes: Philadelphia pitcher Vicente Padilla and San Francisco closer Robb Nen were awarded spots on the National League All-Star team Sunday. They were named to replace Atlanta’s Tom Glavine and St. Louis’ Matt Morris, who scratched themselves because of injuries.
Arizona’s Randy Johnson announced late Sunday that he would miss the game as well to prepare for the second half of the season. Atlanta setup man Mike Remlinger will replace Johnson.
Padilla, who is 10-5 with a 3.05 ERA, is a first-time All-Star. Nen, who has 24 saves in 27 chances and a 1.57 ERA, will be making his third appearance. Remlinger, also a first-timer, is 6-0 with a 1.48 ERA.
At a glance
Home Run Derby
What: 18th event.
When: 7 p.m. Monday.
Where: Miller Park, Milwaukee.
TV: ESPN.
NL hitters: Sammy Sosa, Cubs (28 HRs); Barry Bonds, Giants (27); Lance Berkman, Astros (29); Richie Sexson, Brewers, (19).
AL hitters: Paul Konerko, White Sox (20); Alex Rodriguez, Rangers (27); Jason Giambi, Yankees (22); Torii Hunter, Twins (20).
Last year: Arizona’s Luis Gonzalez beat Sosa 6-2.
All-Star Game
What: 73rd event.
When: 7 p.m. Tuesday.
TV: WFLD-Ch. 32.
All-time series: NL leads 40-31-1.
Recent results
(MVP)
2001: AL 4-1, Seattle
(Cal Ripken Jr., Orioles)
2000: AL 6-3, Atlanta
(Derek Jeter, Yankees)
1999: AL 4-1, Boston
(Pedro Martinez, Red Sox)
1998: AL 13-8, Denver
(Roberto Alomar, Orioles)
1997: AL 3-1, Cleveland
(Sandy Alomar, Indians)
1996: NL 6-0, Philadelphia
(Mike Piazza, Dodgers)
1995: NL 3-2, Texas
(Jeff Conine, Marlins)
1994: NL 8-7, Pittsburgh
(Fred McGriff, Braves)
1993: AL 9-3, Baltimore
(Kirby Puckett, Twins)
1992: AL 13-6, San Diego
(Ken Griffey Jr., Mariners)
