Tony Blanco

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Washington Nationals #18 prospect in 2005
  Washington general manager Jim Bowden acquired Blanco twice in two years. While with the Reds, he got Blanco from the Red Sox in a deal for Todd Walker, and shortly after he took over the Nationals, they selected Blanco from Cincinnati in the major league Rule 5 draft. He needs to stick on the big league roster, or else be exposed to waivers and offered back to the Reds for half his $50,000 draft price. Once Boston's top position-player prospect, Blanco has been waylaid by his inability to manage the strike zone. He led Reds farmhands with a career-high 29 homers and played in the Futures Game in 2004, and his power and bat speed are unquestionable. But he has had difficulty making adjustments. He still tries to pull too many pitches and remains woeful against breaking balls. While he had enough arm strength for third base, his lack of range or soft hands forced him to move to left field and first base. It's hard to see him making the Nationals roster when he should be in Double-A.
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  Ranked Cincinnati Reds #22 prospect in 2004
  Blanco was Boston's top position-player prospect for two years running, but fell out of favor when he failed to show the ability to adjust. Upon joining Cincinnati, he was hampered by the after-effects of elbow surgery, which forced him to play first base and DH in 2003. He's shaking several bad habits, including changing his style and approach from atbat to at-bat. Blanco also gets beat with fastballs when he's worrying about breaking balls. He has the best raw power and bat speed in the system. When healthy, he also has a cannon for an arm. The Reds saw him make progress during the final week of instructional league. His opportunity to finally make his Double-A debut is complicated by Edwin Encarnacion's presence at third base, though Blanco could get a look at first base or left field.
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  Ranked Cincinnati Reds #22 prospect in 2003
  Considered the top position player in the Red Sox system the previous two years, Blanco saw his stock fall considerably in 2002. He fell behind Shea Hillenbrand and Kevin Youkilis on Boston's depth chart before being included in a December trade for Todd Walker. Blanco still has impressive power tools. His pop and infield arm remained the class of the Boston organization until the trade. But he has hit just .248 in two years of full-season ball, and his 148-23 strikeout-walk ratio during that time is even more disturbing. The Red Sox worked extensively with him and he showed signs of making adjustments in batting practice, but Blanco didn't carry his lessons into game action. His swing gets too long, and he flies open in his stance trying to pull pitches way out of the park. After shoulder problems cost him time in 2001, he missed the first two months of 2002 when an errant pitch broke his left hand in spring training. He doesn't move especially well at third base, but he does have a cannon for an arm. With Mark Schramek ticketed for high Class A this year, Blanco may have to take a step back to low Class A.
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  Ranked Boston Red Sox #2 prospect in 2002
  Blanco set the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League home run record in his U.S. debut in 2000 and was rated the league's top prospect. He continued to show power last season despite bursitis in his right shoulder, which forced him to split time between third base and DH before he had arthroscopic surgery in August. The Red Sox named him their player of the year at low Class A Augusta. Blanco has a quick bat that makes him a threat to go deep at any time and allows him to hit for average. He held his own in the South Atlantic League as a teenager despite his shoulder problems. Defensively, he has a strong arm, good body control and some quickness. Overly aggressive at the plate, Blanco will have to show better discipline against more advanced pitchers. Though managers named him the best defensive third baseman in the SAL, he needs a quicker first step and smoother footwork. Blanco took things slowly in instructional league but should be healthy by spring training. Third base is the Red Sox' weakest offensive position, though they'll have to wait two or three years before Blanco is ready. He'll move up to high Class A in 2002.
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  Ranked Boston Red Sox #3 prospect in 2001
  The Red Sox named Blanco their 1999 player of the year on their Rookie-level Dominican Summer League affiliate, but they weren't prepared for his performance in his Stateside debut. He was the No. 1 prospect in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League, where he and teammate Bryan Barnowski tied the league record with 13 homers each. Blanco has several notable tools. His throwing arm rates the maximum 8 on the 2-to-8 scouting scale. He has exceptional bat speed, which generates light-tower power and allows him to hit for average as well. Blanco also exhibits decent patience at the plate. He did strike out in nearly one-fourth of his at-bats in 2000, though no one can argue with his production. If he can get lighter on his feet and improve his lateral movement, he can be a standout defender at the hot corner. Though Blanco was a bit overmatched in the short-season New York-Penn League, he'll probably go to Class A Augusta in 2001. He's at least three years away from Boston.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked South Atlantic League #9 prospect in 2001
  A four-tool gamer, Blanco stayed focused and dangerous despite a bout with bursitis in his right shoulder which limited him to a DH role for much of the first half. Before having arthroscopic surgery in late August, he showed the most impressive bat speed in the league. "Tools-wise, he's got it," Boulanger said, "and he really came on late in the season for us. His ceiling is extremely high." Blanco hit .378 with six homers in his final 10 games and figures to get stronger. He must eliminate overaggressive mistakes at bat and make more consistent contact. He was below average at third base because of poor footwork and anticipation, but his arm and range are excellent.
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  Ranked Florida Complex League #1 prospect in 2000
  The Red Sox knew Blanco was a special talent when he was named the outstanding player for their Dominican Summer League club a year ago. He enhanced his stock by hitting .384-13-50, tying the GCL record for home runs. "I saw Vladimir Guerrero at the same stage of his development," Twins manager Al Newman said, "and that's what his swing looks like. He already swings it like they do in the big leagues. And he has the mentality that he thinks he can hit any ball that's thrown at him." Newman, a former big league infielder, went a step farther in his praise: "He has the best infield arm I've ever seen. It's an easy 8 (on the 2-to-8 scouting scale), no doubt. He just needs to harness it." Blanco tended to overswing at times but generates exceptional bat speed. He should hit consistently for average as he matures. Managers had to be picky to find fault with Blanco. They say he needs to be a little lighter on his feet around the bag at third base, though he has acceptable range and makes all the routine plays. The only tool that doesn’t grade out well is his speed, which is slightly below average.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #93 prospect in 2002
• Ranked Baseball America's #87 prospect in 2001

• December, 1999 Scouting Report
  The Red Sox knew Blanco was a special talent when he was named the outstanding player for their Dominican Summer League club a year ago. He enhanced his stock by hitting .384-13-50, tying the GCL record for home runs. "I saw Vladimir Guerrero at the same stage of his development," Twins manager Al Newman said, "and that's what his swing looks like. He already swings it like they do in the big leagues. And he has the mentality that he thinks he can hit any ball that's thrown at him." Newman, a former big league infielder, went a step farther in his praise: "He has the best infield arm I've ever seen. It's an easy 8 (on the 2-to-8 scouting scale), no doubt. He just needs to harness it." Blanco tended to overswing at times but generates exceptional bat speed. He should hit consistently for average as he matures. Managers had to be picky to find fault with Blanco. They say he needs to be a little lighter on his feet around the bag at third base, though he has acceptable range and makes all the routine plays. The only tool that doesn’t grade out well is his speed, which is slightly below average.