Former Phillie Joe Blanton, who came out of retirement in January, dazzled last night in his second appearance as a starter this season with the Kansas City Royals.
Over six innings of work against the Seattle Mariners, Blanton allowed just two hits and one run, a home run to second baseman Robinson Cano. Additionally, the 24th overall draft pick in the 2002 amateur draft struck out seven batters last night, his most in an appearance since being an Angel in 2013.
The Royals went on to win 4-1 against the Mariners and 2010 American League Cy Young Award winner Felix Hernandez, who suffered his fourth loss of the season after allowing nine hits, four runs and a walk in 6.2 innings.
Joe Blanton 2015 Statistics
As Reliever
As Starter
On February 13, 2015 the Royals signed Blanton, 34, to a minor-league deal with an invitation to Spring Training.
Blanton had not pitched in the majors since two seasons prior with the Los Angeles Angels, where he went 2-14 with a 6.04 ERA over 20 starts and eight relief appearances. Blanton signed a minor-league contract with the Oakland A's last spring, after being released by the Angels, however he later retired after just two starts with Triple-A Sacramento.
On January 28, it was reported by Tim Dierkes of MLBTradeRumors.com that Blanton sought a return to the majors, and that he would hold an "open workout and bullpen session" for interested teams. Clearly the Royals, coming off of a World Series defeat against the San Francisco Giants, saw something in the Kentucky native.
Blanton's signed contract with the Royals would pay him $1 million if he made the majors and up to $3 million in incentives, according to CBS Sports. Furthermore, his contract would allow him two opportunities to opt-out if he chose to do so come Opening Day on April 1, or May 15.
After failing to make the club out of Spring Training, the right hander was not sure whether or not he would opt-out of his contract and look for an opportunity elsewhere in the majors. He eventually accepted his assignment to Triple-A Ohama, a decision that was a right one in retrospect.
Going 3-2 with a 3.89 ERA over 39.1 innings as a Storm Chaser, Blanton's contract was purchased by the Royals on May 16, one day after his second opt-out clause in his contract expired. That night against the New York Yankees, making his first big-league appearance since September 3, 2013, Blanton allowed just one earned run in four innings of relief.
Over seven relief appearances, combining for 15 innings, Blanton surrendered just three earned runs to yield a 1.80 ERA.
On June 17, with starting pitchers Jason Vargas and Danny Duffy recently placed on the disabled list, the Royals needed Blanton to make his first appearance as a starter since July 22, 2013. He did not disappoint, having allowed just five hits and one run over five innings of work against the Milwaukee Brewers. Blanton's success surely carried over into his most recent start, last night against the Mariners.
If all continues to go well for Blanton and he remains on the major league roster, he will likely return to postseason baseball for the first time since being a Phillie during the 2011 season.
The Royals, who clinched a playoff berth for the first time since 1985 last season, are currently on top of their division. Blanton is a career 2-0 pitcher with a 4.02 ERA in postseason play, having 33 strikeouts over 40.1 innings on the mound.
Matt Rappa (@mattrappa) is managing editor of Philliedelphia.com.
