Borrego Brings Personality And Winnings Ways To Pensacola

The same day his baseball playing career ended in 2003, Ramon Borrego was offered a way to stay in the game.
He was 24 and had reached Triple-A, but with a skinny 5'6" frame and a batting average below the Mendoza line, it was clear to both him and the Minnesota Twins that he wasn't going to make it to the major leagues as a player.
But that didn't mean his career in the game was over.
The Twins had taken note of his competitive fire, deep knowledge of the game, and understanding of the finer points of defense and strategy around the diamond and wanted to ensure they found a way to keep Borrego in the organization.
"They asked me, do you want to work with us? " Borrego said, recalling the conversation that ended his playing career but opened the door for a successful new career as a manager. "Do you want to be a field coach or a scout?"
Easy answer. Field coach.
But there was a big problem. His wife was pregnant with their first child back home in Venezuela. The Twins had no openings at their academy in his home country.
Unwilling to let Borrego's talents leave the organization, they created a new coaching position at their Venezuelan Summer League program near his hometown of Maracay specifically for him.
Ever since, he has rewarded their loyalty with success.
Now 15 years later, Borrego will arrive in Pensacola as an accomplished minor league manager, looking to build off his 2018 Florida State League championship with the Fort Myers Miracle. His résumé includes work with numerous current major league players, including key members of the Twins core like Miguel Sanó, Jorge Polanco, Max Kepler, and Byron Buxton as well as over half of the Twins current top 30 prospects.
"Ramon has amazing passion for what he does and is really committed to developing our players not only as baseball players but as people," said Jeremy Zoll, the Twins director of minor league operations.
"His ability to connect with everybody in the clubhouse, whether it's Latin American players or American players is really special," Zoll said.
"And some of the ways he gives our players ownership for their own careers and own development has been really cool to see."
Fresh off a special season in 2018, where Borrego steered the Fort Myers Miracle in a second-half turnaround and Florida State League title, he's now been promoted to Double-A where he will coach many of the same top prospects that led the Miracle to the title.
"Ramon is awesome. He's as competitive a manager as you will find. And really, that can be hit or miss in the minor leagues." said Marshall Kelner, the Fort Myers Miracle broadcast and media relations manager. "Everybody wants to win, but clearly the number one goal in the minor leagues is development.
"Ramon doesn't stray away from that, but he really wants to establish players who are competitive that want to win as well. He considers that a big part of development. He believes if guys learn how to win in the minor leagues it will hopefully carry over to the big leagues."
Borrego made a strong first impression on fans at the Twins Winter Caravan visit to Pensacola in late January during a question and answer session with Blue Wahoos fans.
The first question about how he started in baseball and developed into a 22-year career as player and coach, all with the Twins organization, led to a lengthy answer.
When he stopped to catch his breath, a fan from the back of the room raised his hand.
"I've only been listening to you for about 15 minutes," the man said. "But I know enough that I would want to play for you."