Drafted in the 1st round (29th overall) by the Cincinnati Reds in 2014 (signed for $1,788,000).
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Blandino burst on the scene as a freshman, hitting eight home runs despite starting just 29 games. He has yet to match that total in the two ensuing seasons but has hit enough to be one of the top college bats in the class. The 6-foot, 190-pounder has a strong track record hitting with wood, batting .310 with five home runs in 268 at-bats in the Cape Cod League the last two summers, often playing shortstop for Yarmouth-Dennis. He's struggled a bit more with Stanford, especially as a junior where he's been pitched around in a below-average lineup. He's a career .282 hitter heading into the home stretch of his college career, despite having looseness in his swing, good bat speed and quick wrists. He does a good job staying inside the ball but at times sells out trying to generate home run power. Blandino projects more as a fringe-average or average power hitter rather than a true bopper, so a move to second base fits better than third. He's an average defender with good hands and an average arm, and if his bat doesn't develop he may be athletic enough to be a utility infielder, playing all three spots. He's a below-average runner. Blandino's laid-back demeanor may suit the grind of pro ball better than the short college season.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
A first-rounder in 2014, Blandino put up arguably his best season as a pro, hitting better once he moved up to Triple-A Louisville, where he put up a .270/.390/.444 slash line in 63 games after hitting .259/.374/.462 at Double-A. With Louisville, he had 32 walks to just 37 strikeouts. It was a very good bounce-back season after an injury-plagued 2016 when hamstring injuries ruined his season. There's not a loud tool in Blandino's bag, although he has shown the ability to put up good at-bats, a valuable quality to be sure, but nothing that jumps off a page. He started his career with the Reds at shortstop, but he's below-average there and has largely stopped playing there. He's average at second or third base with good hands and an above-average arm. Blandino has the ability to put up double-digit homers in a full season, but is hardly a slugger. He plays with a coolness that's off-putting to some observers.Blandino is an average runner at best and was caught stealing more than he was successful in 2017. Blandino projects as a potential utility infielder who could end up as a second-division regular.
A three-year starter at third base for Stanford, Blandino is the rare draftee who moves back to shortstop as a pro. He ranked as one of the best hitters in the high Class A Florida State League in the first half of 2015, though he missed most of July with a finger injury before earning a promotion to Double-A Pensacola. After playing shortstop in all but 12 games in 2015, the Reds sent him to the Arizona Fall League to focus on playing second base. Blandino lacks a plus tool but has few significant weaknesses. He projects as a solid regular at second base with quality range and arm strength. Good positioning and sure hands can mitigate below- average range, giving Blandino at least a chance to appear at shortstop in the big leagues. As a hitter, he is notable for the consistency of his at-bats. His average dipped after a promotion to Double-A, but the quality of his at-bats didn't. He projects as a tick above-average hitter with the power to hit 11-15 home runs. Blandino is a solid all-around middle infielder who projects to be a long-time big league regular. Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips is under contract through 2017, but Blandino should be ready to assume playing time before then. He'll return to Double-A Pensacola in 2016 but could reach Triple-A Louisville before too long.
Blandino is the rare case of a college third baseman who moved to shortstop in pro ball. The 2014 first-rounder, who signed for $1.788 million, spent the vast majority of his time at third base for Stanford, though he played shortstop in the Cape Cod League. As one would expect, Blandino's move to shortstop had some hiccups. He has excellent instincts, but his lack of first-step quickness limits his range. His tick above-average arm allows him to play a little deeper to mitigate some of his range issues. He projects as a fringe-average to average shortstop who many scouts think will eventually move to second or third base,. At the plate, Blandino made strides during his junior year at unlocking his power, in part by becoming more pull-happy. He uses a toe tap that sometimes turns into a leg kick to start his swing, and he swings from a wide-open stance. Blandino's power is largely pull-oriented and can lead to him selling out and over-swinging, but he has shown the ability to drive the ball the other way. Blessed with plenty of bat speed, he has the ability to be an average hitter with fringe-average power. He's a below-average runner. He'll head to high Class A Daytona for his first full season in 2015.
Draft Prospects
Blandino burst on the scene as a freshman, hitting eight home runs despite starting just 29 games. He has yet to match that total in the two ensuing seasons but has hit enough to be one of the top college bats in the class. The 6-foot, 190-pounder has a strong track record hitting with wood, batting .310 with five home runs in 268 at-bats in the Cape Cod League the last two summers, often playing shortstop for Yarmouth-Dennis. He's struggled a bit more with Stanford, especially as a junior where he's been pitched around in a below-average lineup. He's a career .282 hitter heading into the home stretch of his college career, despite having looseness in his swing, good bat speed and quick wrists. He does a good job staying inside the ball but at times sells out trying to generate home run power. Blandino projects more as a fringe-average or average power hitter rather than a true bopper, so a move to second base fits better than third. He's an average defender with good hands and an average arm, and if his bat doesn't develop he may be athletic enough to be a utility infielder, playing all three spots. He's a below-average runner. Blandino's laid-back demeanor may suit the grind of pro ball better than the short college season.
Minor League Top Prospects
Blandino has hopped on the fast track since the Reds selected him 29th overall in 2014, and he spent the last month of his full-season debut at Double-A Pensacola. In his time in the FSL, he ranked among the league's most authoritative hitters, all while playing the middle infield. None of Blandino's tools stand out, and his hit tool might be his best thanks to his loose, handsy swing and good bat speed. He's patient and aggressive at the same time, with a good two-strike approach and willingness to use the whole field. He earned Aaron Hil comparisons for his solid pop and middle-infield defensive profile, but he probably would be stretched at shortstop and fits better at second base or possibly third. He's a fringy runner with an average arm. The big question facing Blandino is power. He homers more to his pull-side currently, but he's able to drive balls to the opposite-field gap well and should hit 10-15 homers annually.
A second-team All-American as a third baseman this spring, Blandino was the second of the Reds' two first-round picks and signed for $1.788 million. A shortstop in past Cape Cod League summers, he played third base at Stanford and moved back to shortstop as a pro. Blandino's ultimate position remains to be seen. His average arm is sufficient for short and he's got good hands, but he may not have the lateral movement or quickness for the position and could eventually wind up at second base. At the plate, Blandino is an all-fields hitter who makes solid contact. His loose swing produces good bat speed, though some question just how much power he'll deliver. His average speed plays up because of instincts and an ability to get good jumps. "The upside is that he's just a baseball guy," Billings manager Dick Schofield said. "He's very knowledgeable of the game."
Career Transactions
RHP Alex Blandino elected free agency.
RHP Alex Blandino assigned to ACL Reds from Daytona Tortugas.
Daytona Tortugas activated RHP Alex Blandino from the temporarily inactive list.
Daytona Tortugas placed RHP Alex Blandino on the temporarily inactive list.
Daytona Tortugas activated 2B Alex Blandino.
2B Alex Blandino assigned to Daytona Tortugas from ACL Reds.
2B Alex Blandino assigned to ACL Reds from Chattanooga Lookouts.
2B Alex Blandino assigned to Chattanooga Lookouts.
Cincinnati Reds signed free agent 2B Alex Blandino to a minor league contract.
Nicaragua activated 2B Alex Blandino.
Nicaragua activated 2B Alex Blandino.
Tacoma Rainiers released 2B Alex Blandino.
Tacoma Rainiers activated 2B Alex Blandino.
Tacoma Rainiers placed 2B Alex Blandino on the reserve list.
2B Alex Blandino assigned to Tacoma Rainiers.
2B Alex Blandino assigned to Sacramento River Cats.
San Francisco Giants signed free agent 2B Alex Blandino to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
2B Alex Blandino roster status changed by San Francisco Giants.
2B Alex Blandino elected free agency.
Cincinnati Reds sent 2B Alex Blandino outright to Louisville Bats.
Cincinnati Reds recalled 2B Alex Blandino from Louisville Bats.
Louisville Bats placed 2B Alex Blandino on the 7-day injured list.
Cincinnati Reds optioned 2B Alex Blandino to Louisville Bats.
Cincinnati Reds sent 2B Alex Blandino on a rehab assignment to Louisville Bats.
Cincinnati Reds placed 2B Alex Blandino on the 60-day injured list. Broken right hand.
Cincinnati Reds placed 2B Alex Blandino on the 10-day injured list.
Cincinnati Reds activated 2B Alex Blandino from the 10-day injured list.
Cincinnati Reds activated 2B Alex Blandino from the 10-day injured list.
Cincinnati Reds activated 2B Alex Blandino from the 10-day injured list.
Cincinnati Reds activated 2B Alex Blandino from the 10-day injured list.
Cincinnati Reds placed 2B Alex Blandino on the 10-day injured list.
Cincinnati Reds activated 2B Alex Blandino.
Cincinnati Reds activated 2B Alex Blandino.
Cincinnati Reds activated 2B Alex Blandino.
Cincinnati Reds reassigned 2B Alex Blandino to the minor leagues.
Cincinnati Reds recalled 2B Alex Blandino from Reds Alternate Training Site.
Cincinnati Reds optioned 2B Alex Blandino to Reds Alternate Training Site.
Alex Blandino changed number to .
Cincinnati Reds recalled 2B Alex Blandino from Louisville Bats.
Cincinnati Reds reassigned 2B Alex Blandino to the minor leagues.
Cincinnati Reds optioned 2B Alex Blandino to Louisville Bats.
Cincinnati Reds sent 2B Alex Blandino on a rehab assignment to Louisville Bats.
Cincinnati Reds placed 2B Alex Blandino on the 10-day injured list retroactive to March 25, 2019. Knee surgery recovery.
Cincinnati Reds activated 2B Alex Blandino from the 60-day injured list.
Cincinnati Reds transferred 2B Alex Blandino from the 10-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list. Torn ACL in right knee.
Cincinnati Reds placed 3B Alex Blandino on the 10-day disabled list. Torn ACL in right knee.
Cincinnati Reds recalled 3B Alex Blandino from Louisville Bats.
Cincinnati Reds optioned 2B Alex Blandino to Louisville Bats.
Cincinnati Reds selected the contract of Alex Blandino from Louisville Bats.
2B Alex Blandino assigned to Louisville Bats from Pensacola Blue Wahoos.
2B Alex Blandino assigned to Pensacola Blue Wahoos from Louisville Bats.
2B Alex Blandino assigned to Cincinnati Reds Futures.
2B Alex Blandino assigned to Cincinnati Reds Futures.
2B Alex Blandino assigned to Louisville Bats from Pensacola Blue Wahoos.
2B Alex Blandino assigned to Cincinnati Reds.
2B Alex Blandino assigned to Pensacola Blue Wahoos from Daytona Tortugas.
SS Alex Blandino assigned to Daytona Tortugas.
SS Alex Blandino assigned to Nicaragua.
Cincinnati Reds invited non-roster SS Alex Blandino to spring training.
SS Alex Blandino assigned to Pensacola Blue Wahoos from Daytona Tortugas.
Daytona Tortugas activated SS Alex Blandino from the 7-day disabled list.
Daytona Tortugas placed SS Alex Blandino on the 7-day disabled list.
SS Alex Blandino assigned to FSL North Division All-Stars.
SS Alex Blandino assigned to Daytona Tortugas from Dayton Dragons.
SS Alex Blandino assigned to Cincinnati Reds.
SS Alex Blandino assigned to Dayton Dragons from Billings Mustangs.
SS Alex Blandino assigned to Billings Mustangs.
Cincinnati Reds signed SS Alex Blandino.
Seattle Mariners traded OF Stuart Fairchild to San Francisco Giants for 2B Alex Blandino and cash.
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