Fantasy Baseball: Kyle Blanks-Future 30 HR Hitter?

by Ray Guilfoyle on Aug 21, 2009 10:00 AM EDT in Baseball

I like to take a look at how hitters and pitchers perform after the All-Star break every year. I took a glance at the top HR hitters in the NL since the ASB, and see that the Padres Kyle Blanks has shown some decent power in just under 100 ABs.

Here are his stats through Wednesday 8/19/09, and does not include the HR he hit on Thursday night:

Player	AB	R	H	HR	RBI	BB	KO	SB	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
Blanks, Kyle 1B SD	98	18	28	8	16	13	38	1	0.286	0.391	0.592	0.983

He has hit 9 HRs since the ASB (including Thursday nights HR) in just over 100 ABs. He does strike out alot, but what power hitter doesn't? He is walking enough to give him an OBP close to .400, and is hitting a very respectable .286. Six of his HRs have come at home, otherwise known as the worst hitters park in the majors.

Should he get another 100-150 ABs this season, he could poke another 8-10 HRs, if he continues to hit them at this pace. Even if he does not, I think he can 30 bombs in 2010, his first full season in the majors.

I can also see him playing 1B for the Padres in 2010, as not too many 6'6'', 285 lb. players last in the OF, especially at Petco Park.

Poll

Can Kyle Blanks hit 30 HRs in 2010?

Yes, Petco Park can't stop his power.

35 votes

No, pitchers will catch up to him in 2010.

35 votes

70 votes | Poll has closed

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Two Words

Chris. Shelton.

"That's not a weird stat. Rickie is a run-scorer," Yost said. "It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter," Yost told reporters. "See, you guys have no concept. He's a run-scorer. So there's nothing weird about it. That's what he does."

by Hyatt on Aug 21, 2009 11:36 AM EDT reply actions

Look at his minor league numbers he’s never had a higher ISO than .239, and that was in A+ ball. His ISO this year in AAA was only .202.

His BB/K rate is .31, if you want to trust a HR guy, you need a BB/K over .5 (at least so shandler tells me).

Yeah, he’s young and could be breaking out, but I’m not going to peg him as a 30 HR guy. I’ll take a flyer on him, but nothing more.

by kellemonster on Aug 21, 2009 12:58 PM EDT reply actions

20+ HR power is more likely for 2010

However, he has the tools to become a good power hitter. However, he’s only 22 and will probably develop power in the next coming years. He may faster to develop that power than most others with that frame, so it’s reasonable to think that he can do 30 HR.

He’s showing worse K%, but a better ISO than in the minors. If he goes back to his minor league BB/K, it will be 0.5. I can’t really think of a good comp for this guy, but it’ll be exciting to see.

by QuinnTheEzkamo on Aug 21, 2009 1:07 PM EDT reply actions