Toby Borland, a right-handed relief pitcher, spent parts of nine seasons in Major League Baseball. Born on May 29, 1969, in Ruston, Louisiana, Borland's journey to the majors began when he was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 16th round of the 1987 MLB Draft. He made his major league debut with the Phillies on May 27, 1994.
Borland's pitching style was characterized by his sidearm delivery, which posed a unique challenge for hitters. This distinctive approach helped him secure a spot in the Phillies' bullpen. During his time with Philadelphia, Borland was primarily utilized as a middle reliever. His rookie season in 1994 saw him appear in 37 games, posting a 3.51 ERA, which was a promising start to his career.
In 1996, Borland was traded to the New York Mets, where he continued to serve as a relief pitcher. His stint with the Mets was brief, and he was soon on the move again, this time to the Boston Red Sox in 1997. However, his time in Boston was short-lived, and he returned to the Phillies later that year.
Borland's second tenure with the Phillies lasted until 1998, after which he joined the Anaheim Angels. His time with the Angels was marked by a solid performance in the bullpen, where he maintained a 3.75 ERA over 48 innings in the 1999 season. Despite his efforts, Borland found himself moving again, this time to the Baltimore Orioles in 2000.
With the Orioles, Borland continued to be a reliable option out of the bullpen. However, his major league appearances began to dwindle, and he spent more time in the minor leagues. In 2001, he signed with the Florida Marlins but did not make any major league appearances for the team.
Borland's career in the majors concluded with a brief return to the Phillies in 2002. Over the course of his MLB career, he appeared in 207 games, recording a 4.29 ERA and 171 strikeouts. While he did not achieve stardom, Borland's sidearm delivery and ability to adapt to different teams and roles allowed him to maintain a presence in the league for nearly a decade.
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