Scouting Report Joe Blanton

Joe Blanton
30 years old
9th Major League Season
Bats R/Throws R

The 30-year old right-hander was a 1st round pick in 2002 out of University of Kentucky, and is in his 9th major league season; he spent five seasons with Oakland and is in his 4th season with the Phillies. He's 72-60 for his career with a 4.30 ERA and 1.34 WHIP. He has been referred to as a "league-average/innings eater" in the past, but was rewarded and will make 21 million dollars over the next two years. 

Blanton throws strikes and has a very compact delivery, releasing from a high 3/4s arm slot. He features a 88-91 mph fastball that he will throw to both sides of the plate, a slider (83 mph), as well as an occasional curve (76 mph) and change-up (81 mph). He also has started to throw a few cutters per game (88 mph). His two best pitches are his slider and change-up. He's a fly-ball pitcher who has been prone to the long-ball the last two years. Last year his fastball was his favorite pitch with 2 strikes, with poor results (6.8 K/9, below league average).

He has made seven starts in his career versus the Mets and is 3-1, with a 2.64 ERA and 1.07 WHIP. Last year he was 1-1 in three starts, with 2 quality starts, (7 innings, 2 earned runs in August and September).

He is still a league average starter, but is the 5th starter for the Phillies.


He is a league average-innings eater after all.