Gators nab area pair
Over the past several months, Mariner High senior Mike Zunino has earned his share of accolades.
He garnered all-district and all-state honors after a stellar junior season for the Tritons, and in August participated in the AFLAC All-American Game at Dodger Stadium, which featured the top high school baseball players in the country.
In Mariner’s cafeteria Wednesday, he signed a national scholarship letter-of-intent to continue his baseball career at the University of Florida.
Zunino was one of two Southwest Florida baseball standouts to sign with the Gators Wednesday. Bishop Verot senior Bobby Borchering also signed with the Gators.
“We’re good friends. I’ve played baseball with him in the summer,” Zunino said of Borchering. “He’s one of those guys that brings it every day. He’s just going to make (the Gators) better.”
Even with the success on the field, Tritons coach Steve Larsen is as impressed by the way his star catcher carries himself away from the playing field.
“There are a lot of kids who have a lot of baseball skill,” Larsen said, “but it’s his full makeup as a person that really got him where he is today.”
Zunino likely will be selected in the Major League Baseball Draft at the conclusion of his senior season. He then may have a decision to make depending on how high he’s drafted.
For now, his focus is on joining the Gators, a team he rooted for growing up, and preparing for his senior season in the spring.
Zunino was joined at the signing ceremony by several classmates, as well as his mother, Paola, and father, Greg, who is a longtime professional baseball scout (currently with the Cincinnati Reds).
Zunino began attracting interest from Clemson during his junior year. He was being recruited by coach Kevin O’Sullivan, who moved on to take over at Florida.
Zunino then went out and had his best season as a junior. He was the Tritons’ primary run producer in the middle of the order, smacking a school single-season record of 10 home runs.
He also continued to develop as a defensive leader behind the plate.
As a team, the Tritons posted a 21-8 record and reached the District 5A-15 championship.
“I can’t help want that again,” Zunino said of his outlook for the upcoming year. “I’m expecting a lot from our team. We have a lot of returnees.”
Zunino is another in a long list of Tritons players who have continued their baseball career after high school.
Larsen added that Zunino’s work ethic sets him up for more success in the future.
“He still works hard every day on his defensive skills, plate coverage and all those skills,” he said. “You see a lot of kids come into high school with talent as a freshman and they don’t seem to get better. He has gotten better each year.”
Borchering. a Bishop Verot senior, is in a similar situation as Zunino. He’s among the highest rated high school players in the country and depending on where he’s chosen in the MLB draft, could decide to sign with that team and begin playing minor league baseball.
The 6-foot-4 third baseman and pitcher signed his letter-of-intent in Verot’s senior court yard Wednesday.
Borchering was a key player last season as the Vikings advanced to regionals. He batted .463 with six home runs and 30 RBI as a junior, which followed a sophomore season in which he batted .416 with five home runs and 34 RBI.
“Offensively the last two years he’s been one of our leaders in most categories,” Verot coach Tom LoSauro said. “He’s probably one of the top hitters in the country.”
Also similar to Zunino, Borchering has developed more respect from the opposing teams. That limits the number of good pitches he sees.
LoSauro said that’s an important element for Borchering to focus on in his senior year and as he moves on.
“If he learns patience his numbers will be staggering,” LoSauro said.