Joe Blanton | |||
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![]() Blanton with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
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Free agent | |||
Pitcher | |||
Born: Nashville, Tennessee |
December 11, 1980 |||
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MLB debut | |||
September 21, 2004, for the Oakland Athletics | |||
MLB statistics (through 2015 season) |
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Win–loss record | 92–91 | ||
Earned run average | 4.44 | ||
Strikeouts | 1,165 | ||
WHIP | 1.35 | ||
Teams | |||
Career highlights and awards | |||
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Joseph Matthew Blanton (born December 11, 1980) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has pitched in Major League Baseball (MLB) For the Oakland Athletics, Philadelphia Phillies, Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Kansas City Royals and Pittsburgh Pirates.
After playing college baseball for the University of Kentucky, Blanton was drafted by the Athletics. While pitching for the Phillies in the 2008 World Series, Blanton hit a home run.
Contents
College career[edit]
Joe Blanton was born in Nashville, Tennessee but grew up in Chalybeate in Edmonson County, Kentucky.[1] He graduated from Franklin-Simpson High School (Kentucky) in 1999. He pitched three seasons for the University of Kentucky, with a 13–12 record from 2000 to 2002, and led the Southeastern Conference with 133 strikeouts in his final season, finishing with a 4.59 ERA.[2]
Minor league career[edit]
Blanton was selected by the Oakland Athletics in the first round (24th overall) on the 2002 Major League Baseball Draft,[3] In 2003, while pitching for the Kane County Cougars and the Midland RockHounds,[4] he ranked second in all of minor league baseball with a combined 174 strikeouts.
The next season, Blanton helped the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats win the Pacific Coast League with an 11–8 record and a 4.19 ERA. He struck out 143 batters in 176 innings, tossing one complete game in 26 starts.[4]
Major league career[edit]
Oakland Athletics[edit]
Joe Blanton made his debut on September 21, 2004 against the Texas Rangers. He made three appearances and pitched eight innings. He posted a 5.63 ERA, but did not get a decision in any of his games.
In 2005, Blanton joined the starting rotation that had lost pitchers Mark Mulder and Tim Hudson to trades.[5] He made his first start on April 8 against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, pitching five innings and allowing two runs. After losing his first five decisions, he picked up his first win when he worked seven innings against the Toronto Blue Jays on June 4. Blanton was third on the team in innings pitched, but still exceeded 200 innings in his first full season.[6] He posted 12–12 with a 3.53 ERA in 33 starts, and his 33 starts set an Oakland rookie record for most games started which had broken the previous mark of 32 set by Matt Keough in 1978. His ERA was best among all rookies with 100 or more innings pitched.[7] He also tied the Oakland rookie record for most wins in a season with 12.[7] His first career complete game came as a 1–0 loss to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on April 24, 2005;[8] he was the only rookie to post two complete games in 2005.[7] Blanton's high loss total was attributed to poor run support, as the A's only posted six runs total in all twelve of his losses combined, while posting 62 runs in his 12 wins.[7] Blanton was also named the American League Rookie of the Month for June, as he tied with teammate Dan Haren for the AL lead in wins and finished third in ERA in June.[7]
In 2006, Blanton's ERA rose over a full point to 4.82 and gave up the fifth highest number of hits in the American League with 241,[9] resulting in a .309 batting average against. However, he had four more wins than the previous year, posting a 16–12 record, striking out 107 batters and walking 58.[10] He pitched his first career complete game shutout against the Kansas City Royals on May 31.[9] Blanton did not pitch in the ALDS for the Athletics, but was named to the roster for the ALCS, where he pitched two innings in one appearance, allowing no hits or runs.[11]
Blanton posted a 14–10 record in 230 innings pitched in 2007. He struck out 140 batters, walked 40, and gave up 101 earned runs, resulting in a 3.95 ERA for the year.[12] Though Blanton's road and home records were the same (7–5), his home ERA was 2.69 compared with 5.11 on the road.[13] He also pitched three complete games in 2007, but his first one of the season was his third career complete-game loss, on April 25.[13] Blanton made his 100th career appearance at the end of the season, posting a 7–3 win against the Texas Rangers on September 15.[13]
The A's traded Blanton, who had posted a 5–12 record and a 4.96 ERA to the Philadelphia Phillies for second baseman Adrian Cardenas, pitcher Josh Outman, and outfielder Matthew Spencer on July 17, 2008.[14]
Philadelphia Phillies[edit]
In Blanton's first start for the Phillies, he pitched six innings and allowed five runs; however, he did not factor in the decision as the Phillies scored six runs off the Mets' bullpen in the ninth inning to win.[15] On August 2, Blanton recorded his first win as a Phillie against the St. Louis Cardinals by a score of 2–1 in his third Phillies start. For the season, 51% of his strikeouts were "looking", the highest percentage in the majors.[16]
In Game 4 of the 2008 World Series, Blanton hit his first major league home run to become the 13th pitcher overall and first since Ken Holtzman in 1974 to hit a home run in a World Series game. He was also credited with the win in the Phillies' Game 4 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays.
On January 21, 2010, the Phillies announced Joe Blanton agreed to a three-year extension worth $24 million.[17]
Los Angeles Dodgers[edit]
On August 3, 2012, Blanton was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers for a player to be named later (minor league prospect Ryan O'Sullivan). He started 10 games for the Dodgers and was 2–4 with a 4.99 ERA.
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim[edit]
On December 5, 2012, Blanton signed a two-year deal worth $15 million with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim[18] The contract became official on December 12, 2012.[19] Blanton would go on to finish the 2013 season with a disappointing 2–14 record and a 6.04 ERA.[20] Most of his struggles were attributed to the home run ball, giving up 29 in 132.2 innings. On March 26, 2014, Blanton was granted his unconditional release from the Angels.[21]
Second stint with the Oakland Athletics[edit]
On March 31, 2014, the Oakland Athletics signed Blanton to a minor league deal and sent him to the Triple A Sacramento River Cats.[22] He made two starts in the minors and then on April 13, 2014 Blanton announced his retirement from baseball.[23][24]
After working out in the offseason with neighbor and fellow pitcher Zach Duke,[25] Blanton announced that he would attempt a comeback for the 2015 season.[26]
Kansas City Royals[edit]
On February 13, 2015, Blanton signed a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals.[27] Blanton would earn $1 million at the major league level with up to $3 million in incentives. The contract contained an invitation to spring training, and two opt-out clauses on April 1 and May 15.[28] Blanton pitched on May 16 against the Yankees, pitching four innings of relief with one earned run in a 5–1 loss. On July 28, Blanton was designated for assignment to make room for Johnny Cueto.
Pittsburgh Pirates[edit]
On July 29, 2015, Blanton was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates for cash considerations.[29]
Scouting[edit]
Blanton throws a low-90's fastball, along with a 12–6 curveball, a slider, and a straight changeup.[30] His curveball is his best secondary pitch, drawing comparisons to former teammate Barry Zito's 12–6 curve.
References[edit]
- ^ The Rotation: A Season with the Phillies and the Greatest Pitching Staff, by By Jim Salisbury, Todd Zolecki, page 92
- ^ "Joe Blanton Statistics". Baseball Cube. Retrieved July 18, 2008.
- ^ "Joe Blanton". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved July 18, 2008.
- ^ a b "Joe Blanton Statistics (Minor Leagues)". Baseball Reference. Retrieved July 18, 2008.
- ^ "A's acquire Haren, two other Cardinals". ESPN. December 20, 2004. Retrieved July 18, 2008.
- ^ "2005 Oakland Athletics Statistics". Baseball Reference. Retrieved July 18, 2008.
- ^ a b c d e "2005 Career Highlighits". Philadelphia Phillies. Retrieved July 18, 2008.
- ^ "Joe Blanton 2005 Pitching Gamelogs". Baseball Reference. Retrieved July 18, 2008.
- ^ a b "2006 Career Highlights". Philadelphia Phillies. Retrieved July 18, 2008.
- ^ "2006 Oakland Athletics Statistics". Baseball Reference. Retrieved July 18, 2008.
- ^ "2006 AL Championship Series". Baseball Reference. Retrieved July 18, 2008.
- ^ "2007 Oakland Athletics Statistics". Baseball Reference. Retrieved July 18, 2008.
- ^ a b c "2007 Career Highlights". Philadelphia Phillies. Retrieved July 18, 2008.
- ^ Stiglich, Joe; Bay Area News Group (July 18, 2008). "A's trade Blanton to Phillies for 3 prospects". San Jose Mercury News. Retrieved July 18, 2008.
- ^ Horan, Kevin (July 22, 2008). "Blanton, shaky in debut, celebrates win". Philadelphia Phillies. Retrieved July 23, 2008.
- ^ "2008 Major League Baseball PH/HR/Situational Hitting". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 18, 2009.
- ^ Gonzalez, Alden (January 21, 2010). "Phillies sign Blanton to $24 million extension". Phillies.MLB.com. Major League Baseball. Retrieved January 21, 2010.
- ^ Gonzalez, Aiden (December 5, 2012). "Pair of deals may have Angels out on Greinke". MLB.com. Retrieved December 7, 2012.
- ^ Gonzalez, Alden (December 12, 2012). "Angels finalize deals with Blanton, Burnett". MLB.com. Retrieved December 12, 2012.
- ^ "Joe Blanton Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 26, 2014.
- ^ "Angels cut RHP Joe Blanton, owe him $8.5 million". Associated Press. ESPN.com. March 26, 2014. Retrieved March 26, 2014.
- ^ Crasnick, Jerry (March 31, 2014). "A's sign Joe Blanton". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 31, 2014.
- ^ Axisa, Mike (April 13, 2014). "Report: Right-hander Joe Blanton retires". CBSSports.com. Retrieved April 13, 2014.
- ^ http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/04/13/joe-blanton-has-retired-from-baseball/
- ^ Klugh, Justin (February 13, 2015). "Joe Blanton signs minor league deal with Royals". Philly.com.
- ^ http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/01/28/joe-blanton-is-coming-out-of-retirement/
- ^ Nowak, Joey (February 13, 2015). "Royals sign veteran Blanton to Minor League deal". MLB.com. Retrieved February 13, 2015.
- ^ Wise, Brandon (February 13, 2015). "Royals, Joe Blanton agree to minor-league deal". CBS Sports.
- ^ Berry, Adam (July 30, 2015). "Pirates pick up righty Blanton from Royals". MLB.com. Retrieved July 30, 2015.
- ^ Mandel, Ken (July 21, 2008). "Blanton a 'Money' move for Phillies ball". Philadelphia Phillies. Retrieved July 22, 2008.
External links[edit]
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)
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