The Nationals introduced that infielder/outfielder Travis Blankenhorn elected free company following final week’s DFA. The left-handed hitter had that proper as soon as he cleared waivers as a result of he has been outrighted a number of occasions in his profession. Washington took him off the 40-man roster once they claimed reliever Michael Rucker from Philadelphia.
Blankenhorn has gotten to the majors in 5 consecutive seasons with out ever getting constant taking part in time. He has tallied precisely 100 journeys to the plate on the highest degree. That features 32 plate appearances for the reason that Nats chosen his contract across the time of the commerce deadline. Blankenhorn solely hit .129 with one stroll and 9 strikeouts in that restricted look. He has a profession .154/.230/.264 slash towards MLB arms.
Whereas he hasn’t carried out in his sporadic MLB probabilities, the 28-year-old has a stable minor league observe document. Blankenhorn popped 23 dwelling runs in Triple-A for the Nats a yr in the past. He linked on one other 26 longballs in 106 contests with their high affiliate this season. Blankenhorn has energy however has additionally struggled to make contact persistently within the minors. That continued this yr, as he fanned in 26% of his plate appearances.
A 3rd-round choose of the Twins in 2015, Blankenhorn has additionally had a short stint with the Mets and frolicked within the Mariners’ and Dodgers’ farm techniques. He ought to have the ability to discover one other minor league alternative heading into 2025. Speculatively talking, his Triple-An influence numbers might result in offseason curiosity from groups in international leagues as nicely.
