The Top 10 NBA Players of All-Time
June 16, 2015
Player of the Week: Jhy Orgeron
June 16, 2015
Grant Borne didn’t receive any collegiate scholarship offers, despite a decorated prep career at Catholic High of Baton Rouge.
Instead, he accepted a roster spot as a preferred walk-on at Nicholls State University – an olive branch from Colonels coach Seth Thibodeaux that showed Nicholls knew the kid had potential at a higher level of play.
Three years later, Thibodeaux’s hunch has paid off in a big way.
Once the unwanted, soft-tossing lefty, Borne is now a dominant high-end rotation pitcher who is a top-tier selection in the MLB Draft.
The Washington Nationals selected Borne in the seventh round of the 2015 MLB Draft this past week – the No. 224 overall pick of the draft.
Because he’s a junior, Borne still must negotiate a contract with the Nationals before officially becoming a pro. If those negotiations fall through, he still has the option to return to Nicholls for his senior season. But to be a wanted commodity in high demand is something Borne relishes, considering his modest beginnings.
He found out about his selection in the most random way possible – through an explosion of text messages he received during an afternoon nap.
“It’s pretty unreal,” Borne said. “I wasn’t wanted out of high school. I didn’t really have too many options to play college ball. Nicholls is the only place that wanted me. I’ve been a bit of an underdog the whole way, so it’s like, ‘Who would have ever thought that I’d ever even have a chance at the draft, much less to be in the Top 10 rounds?’ It’s a blessing. It’s something I’m so grateful for, and I’m just excited to have the opportunity available to me to keep playing – no matter where that’s going to be.”
“I am very proud of Grant Borne and very happy for he and his family,” Thibodeaux added. “He has grown a lot since he first set foot on campus. He worked really hard to get where he’s at. … Nicholls State University should be very proud.”
In Borne, the Nationals could be getting a proven commodity who has been a dominant force over the past three seasons in Thibodaux.
Borne was one of the most reliable arms in the Southland Conference in the 2015 season, posting a 1.48 ERA in 91.1 innings over 15 starts for the Nicholls staff.
The left-handed pitcher earned a 6-5 record on the year, which could have been much higher had the Colonels scored more runs in his starts. For that success, he was rewarded as a Second-Team All-Southland Conference selection.
Borne’s 2015 success is a continuation of the dominance he showed as a sophomore in 2014 when he posted an 8-3 mark with a 2.97 ERA.
As a freshman, he also contributed, posting a 3-0 record in 43 total innings.
A four-pitch pitcher who can touch the lower 90s with his fastball, Borne said going to Nicholls was the best decision he’s ever made. The MLB draftee said working with Colonels’ pitching coach Chris Prothro has made him a different pitcher – both on and off the mound.
“I’ve come such a long way,” Borne said. “When I was in high school, I wasn’t a hard thrower. When I got to college, I sort-of grew into my body. I’ve worked so hard with my coaches to become physically stronger and mentally tougher. The whole professional thing was always in the back of my head. It was always a hope and a dream. But now that it’s officially come true, it’s surreal. It’s such a great feeling.”
So now that Borne has officially been drafted, his next few weeks will be spent deciding whether or not to accept a contract offer given to him by the Nationals.
Borne has a bit of a bargaining chip on his side in that he could return to school for his senior season and try to be higher than a seventh-round pick.
Borne didn’t offer any specific answers regarding his decision, refusing to say whether or not he had a set dollar amount in mind that could pull him away from Nicholls.
But throughout the topic of contract talks, his words seemed to indicate that his preference would be to sign with Washington and begin his professional career.
Prothro indicated the same when talking about Borne, referring to the pitcher’s career at Nicholls in the past tense.
“I’m not going to accept a low-ball offer, of course,” Borne said. “But the Nationals wouldn’t do that to me, anyway. They’re going to be fair, and I think I’m going to be totally fine. It’s all going to work itself out.”
“He is very deserving,” Prothro added. “And I’m proud to have coached him.”
HOLMES, DEEMES TAKEN IN LATE ROUNDS
Borne wasn’t the only Colonels pitcher selected in the three-day draft.
In the later stages of the draft, the Toronto Blue Jays selected senior lefty Stuart Holmes in the 35th Round of the 2015 Draft. Just 17 picks later and in the 36th round, the Houston Astros snagged senior righty Ryan Deemes.
Because both Holmes and Deemes are seniors without the option to return to school, each will sign a professional contract in the coming weeks and begin their minor league careers.
Both said they are proud and excited to have the option to continue playing beyond the collegiate level.
“This has been a dream and a goal of mine my entire life,” Holmes said. “I want to first thank God for blessing me with the opportunities He did and allowing me to play the game through Him. I’d like to thank my family, coaches and teammates for everything and for their support along the way.”
“It’s just a total blessing to have this opportunity,” Deemes added. “This is what every kid plays the game for their whole life. I’m just really grateful for all the coaches, family members and friends that have helped me get to this point. … I’m excited to get to work.”
Holmes was one of the best relief pitchers in the country in 2015, posting 15 saves with just an 1.11 ERA on the season.
Deemes was Nicholls’ No. 3 starter and an Honorable Mention All-Southland Conference pick with five wins.
