BSB | Greg Bordes Joins SMC Baseball Coaching Staff
7/30/2015 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
MORAGA, Calif. -- With plenty of experience at the highest level of the college game, a stint in the professional ranks and strong recent coaching credentials, Greg Bordes shouldn't need too much time to get acclimated to a Saint Mary's baseball program focused on continuing its upward trajectory.
Gaels head coach Eric Valenzuela announced Thursday that Bordes will join the coaching staff for the 2016 season, bringing with him a wealth of knowledge as he makes the move north from his native Arizona. A product of Arizona State, Bordes spent the 2015 season as an assistant at Central Arizona College after coaching the previous two seasons at his alma mater.
"Greg is one of the brightest young assistants in the country and for us to get him to come to Moraga and be a part of what we're building is huge," Valenzuela said. "With his background as both a player and a coach, he knows what it takes to win championships and that experience is going to be invaluable as we continue to grow as a program."
With the change also comes an addition in title for assistant coach Matt Fonteno, who recently added the role of recruiting coordinator to his duties. Volunteer assistant Daniel Costanza rounds out the SMC coaching staff for the upcoming year.
"Just from the outside looking in the last couple years and seeing what this program has done under coach Valenzuela, that's why I want to be a part of this," Bordes said. "I was very fortunate to be part of a program like Arizona State where you have to win. I wouldn't want it any other way. I've noticed that Eric has established that here and it's only going to get better as we move along and the program keeps winning and having success."
During a three-year playing career at Arizona State, Bordes played a part in one of the best stretches in program history. He helped the 2005 and 2007 Sun Devils reach the College World Series while also capturing Pac-10 championships in 2007 and 2008. After the 2008 season, he signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks and played two seasons in the minor leagues.
While a player at ASU, Bordes played in 72 games, including 44 as a junior in 2008. He hit .304 that season with 21 RBI and was named to the All-Tempe Regional team. He finished his Sun Devil career with a career batting average of .300. He served as team manager in 2011 and graduated from Arizona State with a Bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Sciences with a focus on business and education
As a coach, Bordes has shown a capacity to work well with catchers, and in 2013 he helped Arizona State catcher Max Rossiter earn All-Pac 12 honors and fellow backstop RJ Ybarra earn freshman All-America status. In 2014, Bordes helped tutor freshman Brian Serven as he became the third freshman in the past 20 years to start the majority of the season at catcher as well as catching more runners stealing than any Sun Devil backstop since 2010.
He is a 2004 graduate of Dobson High School (also the alma mater of former Gaels basketball star Mickey McConnell) in Mesa, AZ., where he earned three varsity letters under head coaches Bob Hershey (2002) and Dave Tykoski (2003-2004). He was captain of his team junior and senior year and played summer baseball for the Swampdogs (2002-2003) and the Reds (2004). He helped Dobson to the 2002 East Valley Regional Title and was named honorable mention East Valley Region after hitting .330 with 25 walks as a sophomore. He hit .390 as a junior and was named first team all region and hit 3.40 with 14 SB and three home runs as a senior. He was ranked as the No. 16 high school prospect in Arizona by Perfect Game/ Baseball America and earned All-Around Senior Award for academics.
Bordes also has an impressive family background in the game of baseball. His father, Charlie, played professionally with the Texas Rangers, reaching as high as the Triple-A level. Charlie also played at Southwestern Louisiana (currently Louisiana-Lafayette) and was voted into the school's athletic hall of fame in 1998. His grandfather, Bill Cutler, is a former president of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League, while uncle Jack Heidmann, played six years professionally with the Brewers and Indians. His brother, Brett, is a former Sun Devils pitcher who spent time in the Baltimore Orioles organization. Brett holds the school record for most career appearances with 109.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
Pat Murphy, San Diego Padres interim manager and former Arizona State manager
Greg was a winning player from a winning family. He had to fight for everything he got. He is smart and poised and he will elevate any team he is part of."
Eric Sogard, Oakland Athletics infielder and former Arizona State star
I had the pleasure of playing with him my three years at ASU and rooming with him for one year. He was a great teammate and a better friend, always working to make others around him better. Being at ASU, we all learned to play the game the right way and how to come together as a team with one goal in mind — to win. Bordy was always one of the hardest working guys on the team and always willing to help anyone in need. I have no doublt he will be a great fit for your staff and will bring a lot to the table."
Tim Esmay, Winston-Salem Dash manager (Chicago White Sox Class-A affiliate) and former Arizona State manager
He's going to bring a relentless work ethic, an attitude of winning and he understands the commitment to get that accomplished. He's going to bring some really positive energy (to Saint Mary's)."
Andy Stankiewicz, Grand Canyon University head coach
I had the privilege to coach Greg as a player. He comes from a great baseball family. He is one of the most unselfish players I have ever coached. He understands player development and is a tireless worker. He knows how to communicate with today's player and teach the game of baseball. No doubt in my mind he will be a great addition to coach Valenzuela's staff."
FOLLOW ALONG
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