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Kyle Blanks

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Kyle Blanks
Blanks with the San Diego Padres
Outfielder / First baseman
Born: (1986-09-11) September 11, 1986 (age 38)
Souderton, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
June 19, 2009, for the San Diego Padres
Last MLB appearance
June 16, 2015, for the Texas Rangers
MLB statistics
Batting average.241
Home runs33
Runs batted in111
Teams

Kyle Nathaniel Blanks (born September 11, 1986) is an American former professional baseball outfielder and first baseman. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Diego Padres, Oakland Athletics, and Texas Rangers. Blanks wore the unusual uniform number 88 throughout his MLB career. Listed at 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 m) and 285 pounds (129 kg), he batted and threw right-handed.

Early life

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Blanks was born in Souderton, Pennsylvania and grew up in Moriarty, New Mexico where he was a stand-out for the Moriarty High Pintos. Blanks attended Yavapai College.

Professional career

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San Diego Padres

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Blanks hitting his 6th career home run

Blanks was selected by San Diego Padres in the 42nd round (1241st overall) of the 2004 Major League Baseball Draft. He was the Padres' Minor League Player of the Year in 2008. Though he was a standout first baseman, he started playing in the outfield in April 2009.[1] He was called up to the majors for the first time after only 66 Triple-A games when Cliff Floyd was placed on the disabled list on June 19, 2009.[1][2] He played left field for the Padres after only 15 games in the outfield for Portland.[1][2] He hit 10 home runs in 148 at bats in his first MLB season as he continued to be the Padres' highest-rated prospect.[2][3] He hit only .150 in his first 40 at-bats, but finished with 10 homers with a .287 average.[4] His season ended on August 28 with a case of plantar fasciitis.[2] During the offseason, the Padres traded away third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff in order to move Chase Headley to the infield to open a position for Blanks in left field.[2]

Blanks began the 2010 season as the Padres cleanup hitter behind Adrián González.[5] Blanks' season ended in May with an elbow that required reconstructive surgery.[6] He finished batting only .157 with three homers, 15 RBI and an alarming 46 strikeouts in 102 at-bats.[5] After González was traded in the offseason, Padres General Manager Jed Hoyer expected either newly acquired Anthony Rizzo or Blanks to eventually be the Padres starting first baseman.[7]

Blanks started 2011 on the disabled list.[8][9] He played 78 games at Double-A San Antonio and Triple-A Tucson, hitting a combined .312 with 15 home runs and 62 RBI.[10] He was promoted to San Diego and Anthony Rizzo was sent down to Tucson on July 22.[9] He finished the season hitting .229 with seven home runs and 26 RBI in 170 at bats.[11]

Hoyer believed that Rizzo would be the starting first baseman for the Padres in 2012. The San Diego Union-Tribune projected Jesús Guzmán and Blanks as options for left field.[12] However, he was lost for the season in April after surgery to repair a significant tear in the labrum of his non-throwing shoulder.[13]

Blanks played well during 2013 spring training, but began the year with Tucson with left field occupied by Carlos Quentin and first base occupied by Yonder Alonso. Blanks was called up on April 14 when Quentin began serving a suspension for a brawl.[14] He remained with the club after Quentin's return as an injury to Cameron Maybin opened up a spot in the outfield. Blanks also picked up a number of starts at first base in June while Yonder Alonso was on the disabled list with a broken hand. Blanks himself went to the disabled list on July 12 with tendinitis in his left heel.[15] He returned on August 31 after a rehab assignment and spent the rest of the season with the club.[16] For the year, Blanks set a career high with 88 games played and 71 starts. He hit .243 in 280 at-bats with 8 home runs.

Blanks was chosen to start the 2014 season in the minors. Blanks was called up on May 5, after Xavier Nady was designated for assignment. Blanks only played 5 games for the Padres in 2014, getting 2 hits in 10 at bats.

Oakland Athletics

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On May 15, 2014, the Padres traded Blanks to the Oakland Athletics for Jake Goebbert[17][18] and minor leaguer Ronald Herrera.[19] He was designated for assignment on November 28, 2014.

Texas Rangers

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On December 15, 2014, the Texas Rangers signed Blanks to a minor league contract with a base salary of $1 million, and $600,000 in performance related bonuses if he made the big league roster.[20] Blanks appeared in 18 games for the Rangers in 2015, hitting .313 in 71 plate appearances.

San Francisco Giants

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Blanks signed with the San Francisco Giants on a minor league contract in November 2015.[21] Despite missing time in 2016 due to injury, the Giants re-signed Blanks to a minor league deal for the 2017 season. He was released on May 26, 2017.[22]

Acereros de Monclova

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On June 13, 2017, Blanks signed with the Acereros de Monclova of the Mexican Baseball League. He was released on June 22, 2017. In 3 games he hit a miserable 1-13 (.077).

Awards and honors

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Year Award/Honor
2005 Arizona Fall League Post-Season All-Star
2006 Midwest League Mid-Season All-Star
2007 California League Player of the Week
2007 California League Mid-Season All-Star
2007 California League Post-Season All-Star
2007 Baseball America High Class A All-Star
2008 Texas League Mid-Season All-Star
2008 Texas League Post-Season All-Star
2008 Texas League Player of the Week
2008 Baseball America Double-A All-Star

References

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  1. ^ a b c Brock, Corey (June 19, 2009). "Blanks promoted in flurry of moves". MLB.com. Archived from the original on June 22, 2009. Retrieved November 2, 2009.
  2. ^ a b c d e Sullivan, Time (February 13, 2010). "Padres' Blanks leaner, keener". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Archived from the original on July 10, 2011.
  3. ^ Jenkins, Chris (August 28, 2009). "As Blanks limps, Pads light it up". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Archived from the original on February 21, 2014.
  4. ^ Center, Bill (August 19, 2011). "Blanks keeps up hot pace in Padres victory". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Archived from the original on August 28, 2011.
  5. ^ a b Center, Bill (February 13, 2011). "Slimmer Blanks reports early, focused on rehab". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Archived from the original on February 22, 2011.
  6. ^ Jenkins, Chris (July 28, 2010). "Blanks needs surgery on bad elbow". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Archived from the original on February 22, 2011.
  7. ^ Center, Bill (December 23, 2010). "Who's on first? Padres close to signing Hawpe". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Archived from the original on February 2, 2013.
  8. ^ Center, Bill (March 20, 2011). "Padres acquire reliever Neshek from Twins, option Durango, Deduno". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Archived from the original on July 31, 2011.
  9. ^ a b Norcross, Don (July 21, 2011). "Rizzo demoted after Padres finish Florida sweep". Archived from the original on July 24, 2011.
  10. ^ Norcross, Don (July 21, 2011). "Maybin puts on a show for Marlins". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved October 5, 2011.
  11. ^ "Kyle Blanks Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 5, 2011.
  12. ^ Center, Bill (September 30, 2011). "Padres look to upgrade corner outfield spots, bullpen and bench for 2012". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Archived from the original on October 2, 2011.
  13. ^ Jenkins, Chris (April 22, 2012). "Notebook: Blanks' season over". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Archived from the original on May 16, 2014.
  14. ^ Jenkins, Chris (April 14, 2013). "Quentin suspension means call-up for Blanks". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
  15. ^ Brock, Corey; Jamal Collier (July 13, 2013). "Blanks goes on DL with Achilles tendinitis". MLB.com. Retrieved March 23, 2014.
  16. ^ "Padres activate INF/OF Kyle Blanks from 15-day DL and option RHP Anthony Bass to Triple-A Tucson". Padres Press Release. Padres.com. August 31, 2013. Archived from the original on March 23, 2014. Retrieved March 23, 2014.
  17. ^ "A's acquire OF-1B Blanks from Padres". ESPN.com. Associated Press. May 15, 2014. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
  18. ^ "Padres get OF Goebbert in deal with A's". ESPN.com. Associated Press. May 15, 2014. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
  19. ^ "A's send Herrera to Padres to complete Blanks deal". ESPN.com. Associated Press. May 28, 2014. Retrieved May 29, 2014.
  20. ^ "Rangers sign Blanks to minor league deal". ESPNDallas.com. December 15, 2014. Retrieved December 15, 2014.
  21. ^ Eddy, Matt (December 1, 2015). "Minor League Transactions: Nov. 21-27". Baseball America. Retrieved December 1, 2015.
  22. ^ Adams, Steve (May 26, 2017). "Minor MLB Transactions: 5/26/17". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
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