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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 and , he batted and threw right-handed.
Blanks began the 2010 season as the Padres cleanup hitter behind Adrián González. Blanks' season ended in May with an elbow that required reconstructive surgery. He finished batting only .157 with three homers, 15 RBI and an alarming 46 strikeouts in 102 at-bats. 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.
Blanks started 2011 on the disabled list. He played 78 games at Double-A San Antonio and Triple-A Tucson Padres, hitting a combined .312 with 15 home runs and 62 RBI. He was promoted to San Diego and Anthony Rizzo was sent down to Tucson on July 22. He finished the season hitting .229 with seven home runs and 26 RBI in 170 at bats.
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. However, he was lost for the season in April after surgery to repair a significant tear in the glenoid labrum of his non-throwing shoulder.
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. 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. He returned on August 31 after a rehab assignment and spent the rest of the season with the club. 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
On May 15, 2014, the Padres traded Blanks to the Oakland Athletics for Jake Goebbert and minor leaguer Ronald Herrera. He was designated for assignment on November 28, 2014.
Texas Rangers
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. Blanks appeared in 18 games for the Rangers in 2015, hitting .313 in 71 .
San Francisco Giants
Blanks signed with the San Francisco Giants on a minor league contract in November 2015. 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.
Acereros de Monclova
On June 13, 2017, Blanks signed with the Acereros de Monclova of the Mexican League. He was released on June 22, after going 1-for-13 (.077) across three appearances.
Awards and honors
Arizona Fall League Post-Season All-Star Midwest League Mid-Season All-Star California League Player of the Week California League Mid-Season All-Star California League Post-Season All-Star Baseball America High Class A All-Star Texas League Mid-Season All-Star Texas League Post-Season All-Star Texas League Player of the Week Baseball America Double-A All-Star
External links
Categories: 1986 Births, Living People, Acereros De Monclova Players, African-american Baseball Players, American Expatriate Baseball Players In Mexico, Arizona League Padres Players, Baseball Players From Bucks County, Pennsylvania, El Paso Chihuahuas Players, Fort Wayne Wizards Players, Gigantes De Carolina Players, Lake Elsinore Storm Players, Major League Baseball First Basemen, Major League Baseball Left Fielders, Major League Baseball Right Fielders, Mexican League Baseball Left Fielders, Oakland Athletics Players, People From Moriarty, New Mexico, People From Sellersville, Pennsylvania, Peoria Saguaros Players, Portland Beavers Players, Round Rock Express Players, Sacramento River Cats Players, San Antonio Missions Players, San Diego Padres Players, Texas Rangers Players, Tucson Padres Players, Yavapai Roughriders Baseball Players, 21st-century African-american Sportsmen, 21st-century American Sportsmen
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