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.