March 25, 2012; Surprise, AZ, USA; Texas Rangers center fielder Julio Borbon (20) dives back into first base on a pick off attempt against the Los Angeles Angels at the Tempe Diablo Stadium. James Guillory-Imagn Images

Milwaukee Brewers Round Out Staff, Hire Julio Borbón as First Base Coach

Originally posted on Fastball on SI | By Sam Connon | Last updated Dec 18, 2024 9:07 AM ET

The Milwaukee Brewers have hired Julio Borbón as their next first base coach, the team announced Tuesday.

The 38-year-old played 12 professional seasons before retiring in 2019, then taking jobs in the New York Yankees' minor league system and the Minnesota Twins' player development department. Once a top prospect himself, Borbón spent the majority of his big league career with the Texas Rangers and racked up a 2.4 WAR between 2009 and 2011.

Borbón also spent time with the Chicago Cubs and Baltimore Orioles before rounding out his playing days in Mexico.

Now that Borbón has arrived in Milwaukee, the Brewers have rounded out their major league coaching staff. Borbón is replacing Quintin Berry, who left to rejoin former Brewers manager Craig Counsell with the Chicago Cubs in November.

We have named Julio Borbón as our new first base coach pic.twitter.com/zYkuiVPAxW
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) December 17, 2024

Borbón may be two years younger than Berry, but the two boasted very similar profiles as players and could bring similar instincts to the table as coaches.

While the 6-foot-1, 195-pound Berry hit .262 with a .697 OPS in his MLB career – averaging four home runs, 41 RBI, 36 stolen bases and a 1.0 WAR per 162 games – the 6-foot, 195-pound Borbón hit .273 with a .665 OPS and averaged four home runs, 42 RBI, 26 stolen bases and a 0.9 WAR per 162 games. Both were also left-handed hitters.

This article first appeared on Fastball on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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