Joe Blanton Stats & Scouting Report

IP	1767
ERA	4.38
WHIP	1.337
BB/9	2.379
SO/9	6.54

Full name Joseph Matthew Blanton
Born 12/11/1980 in Nashville, TN
Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 225 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Kentucky
Debut 09/21/2004
Drafted in the 1st round (24th overall) by the Oakland Athletics in 2002 (signed for $1,400,000).

View Draft Report

Blanton bounced in and out of the first round all spring as his performance went up and down. Considered a marginal first-round pick at the start of the year, his stock surged when he went head-to-head with Ball State's Bryan Bullington in March and outpitched him. He struck out 16 that day with a fastball that touched 95 mph. Blanton wasn't as sharp over his next several starts, appearing to be consumed by all the attention, and interest fell off. Then he pitched well again in a couple of late-season starts and seemed to solidify his position as a late first-rounder. In his final start against Florida, Blanton shut out the hard-hitting Gators for eight innings--then gave up five runs in the ninth and lost. His 5-6, 4.53 record is indicative of his inconsistent effort. Most impressive, he struck out 120 in 91 innings. Big and strong with solid mechanics, Blanton has a good curve and slider in addition to his fastball, which normally is 92-93 mph. When he's at his best, the command on his fastball is precise. His changeup continues to develop.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Blanton took the system by storm in 2003, leading the Midwest League in strikeouts despite leaving for Double-A by the end of July. Bumped to Triple-A for 2004, Blanton proved to be more hittable, but he impressed the A's in a brief major league look in September. Blanton has solid stuff and impeccable control. His lively fastball sat at 89-91 mph for much of the year, but he threw 92-94 coming out of the bullpen in Oakland. He throws strikes with his slider and curveball. He has a durable frame and should eat up innings in the major leagues. Blanton's changeup is still developing. He doesn't have a true out pitch, and Pacific Coast League observers liked his command and tenacity more than his stuff. He's still learning to change speeds and out-think hitters, as he can't simply overmatch them as he did at the lower levels. With his September showing, he convinced the A's he was ready to pitch in the majors in 2005. They traded Tim Hudson, Mark Mulder and Mark Redman with the idea that Blanton would fill one of the rotation vacancies.
Acquired with a first-round pick from the Yankees as compensation for Jason Giambi, Blanton is the best prospect from the A's 2002 "Moneyball" draft. He dominated the low Class A Midwest League last year, winning the strikeout crown despite being promoted in late July. Unlike Oakland's other 2002 draftees, he also made an easy transition to Double-A. Blanton has the makings of a classic power pitcher. He usually throws 93-94 mph and hits 96 with his fastball, and he has tremendous command of the pitch. MWL managers rated his slider as the league's best breaking ball, and his curveball also can buckle hitters' knees. Blanton is still learning the art of pitching. He sometimes relies on one or two pitches rather than using his full repertoire, and he must learn to sequence pitches to keep hitters off balance. His changeup is just beginning to develop. An intense competitor, he'll overthrow and lose control at times. There's some effort to his delivery. Blanton will return to Double-A Midland to start this season. He made dramatic progress during 2003, and similar improvement could land him in Oakland in 2005.
Blanton made his case as a top draft prospect when he led the Cape Cod League in strikeouts after his sophomore season. He outdueled No. 1 overall pick Bryan Bullington and struck out 16 in a 3-2 win over Ball State last spring. Oakland took him with a pick it received from the Yankees for losing Jason Giambi. Blanton has two power pitches in his fastball, which sits at 94 mph and tops out at 97, and his curveball. His slider and changeup are decent pitches, though they still need work. If he can refine his changeup, he could be a dynamic starter. He has a maximum-effort delivery, so the A's are trying to smooth out Blanton's mechanics. That will give him a better chance to repeat his delivery, which in turn will improve his command. He's still raw around the edges and developing a feel for pitching. Because of the changes he needs to make, Blanton isn't expected to move as quickly as some of Oakland's other college first-rounders. He'll probably start 2003 in high Class A, where he finished his first pro summer.

Minor League Top Prospects

Scouts say that Blanton's makeup might be better than his stuff, and they mean that as a compliment. He's a bulldog who throws strikes and eats innings, and they see his ceiling as a No. 3 starter, possibly a No. 2. "If I had to win a game right now, and I could take any pitcher in the PCL, I'd take him," one scout said. "He has a great feel for pitching, and his stuff is just solid." Blanton came to the PCL with the reputation of having a plus fastball and nasty breaking stuff. He pitched mostly at 88-91 mph, with the life on his heater more notable than its velocity. Observers preferred his curveball to his slider but weren't overwhelmed by either.
The only four-year college player to crack the first 15 spots on this list, Blanton proved he was too advanced for low Class A. The best prospect out of Oakland's "Moneyball" draft in 2002, he wasn't promoted until late July, giving him enough time to lead the MWL in strikeouts. Just as impressive as his 144 strikeouts in 133 innings were his 19 walks. Managers rated his slider as the league's top breaking ball, and Blanton also has a plus fastball and, at times, a plus curve. Scouts project him as a No. 3 starter, and he could be more dynamic out of the bullpen, especially if he doesn't refine his changeup. There's a lot of effort and some head jerk in Blanton's delivery, yet it doesn't rob him of feel or command. He occasionally makes mistakes over the plate, yet Double-A hitters couldn't solve him either. He had a 3-1, 1.26 record in seven Texas League outings.