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 instances 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 enjoying time. He has tallied precisely 100 journeys to the plate on the highest stage. That features 32 plate appearances because the 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 in opposition to MLB arms.
Whereas he hasn’t carried out in his sporadic MLB probabilities, the 28-year-old has a stable minor league monitor file. Blankenhorn popped 23 residence runs in Triple-A for the Nats a 12 months in the past. He linked on one other 26 longballs in 106 contests with their prime affiliate this season. Blankenhorn has energy however has additionally struggled to make contact constantly within the minors. That continued this 12 months, as he fanned in 26% of his plate appearances.
A 3rd-round decide of the Twins in 2015, Blankenhorn has additionally had a quick stint with the Mets and hung out within the Mariners’ and Dodgers’ farm programs. He ought to be capable to discover one other minor league alternative heading into 2025. Speculatively talking, his Triple-An influence numbers may result in offseason curiosity from groups in overseas leagues as nicely.
