Andres Blanco

After a season of small-sample success in 2015, when he posted a 137 wRC+ in 261 plate appearances, Blanco has now had two straight seasons where his numbers better matched his utility-infielder status. He hit for a very poor .192/.257/.292 line last year over 144 plate appearances in what may have been his final major-league season. The veteran infielder may still provide some value in the clubhouse, but his value on the field is minimal. He may latch on with a team this offseason, likely on a minor-league deal, but isn't likely to get into many games or do much with what little playing time he's given. Only owners in the deepest of leagues will have any reason to look at Blanco, if he even plays in the majors at all.

Blanco has been a valuable reserve for the Phillies the past three seasons. He hit .253/.316/.405 with four homers in 190 at-bats and played all four infield positions plus left field last season. He has been exposed when given regular playing time, but has been solid coming off the bench along with the occasional start. Another season of around 200 at-bats is likely. That should result in a handful of homers, a steal or two and a decent batting average. That is a useful player in extremely deep leagues, but waiver wire fodder for most.

Last season was the best season of Blanco's career. He posted career highs in all statistical categories — primarily because it was the first time he had ever exceeded 200 major league at-bats in a season. That said, he wouldn't have earned those at-bats if he wasn't making the most of his opportunities. Blanco doesn't have an outstanding offensive tool in his profile, but he does possess solid skills at this point in his career. He is also a good defender that can play all over the infield. The Phillies feel he gets exposed by major league pitchers with too much playing time, so they will continue to use him as the primary utility option again this season. One could do worse with a bench spot in a really deep league, but don't expect Blanco to earn significant playing time this season. The Phillies are focused on their youth as they build for the future.

Blanco appeared in 68 games for Texas, largely as an injury fill-in for Ian Kinsler throughout the season, and hit about as well (.277/.330/.349) as one could expect from the career journeyman. He'll enter the season as Texas' primary utility infielder where his playing time figures to weigh heavily on the ability of the oft-injured Kinsler to stay on the field.

Blanco has always been slick with the glove, but his bat never developed in equal proportion. Last year, he hit well in 227 Triple-A at-bats, but given his age in 2009 (25) and the small sample, we wouldn't get too excited. He'll vie for a role backing up Ryan Theriot at shortstop.

At 23, Blanco isn't completely written off, but the clock is ticking. The Royals have gushed about his fielding ability for years, but it's hard to play a guy with little speed, little power and a career .625 OPS in the minors. September labrum surgery and the follow-up rehabilitation likely doomed Blanco to another year in Triple-A Omaha.

After watching Ruben Gotay butcher second base and not hit for much of the season, the Royals finally called up Blanco in September and fell in love with the former shortstop. That love ends with his glove, because Blanco's offensive talent hovers under the Mendoza line at its peak. He can win the starting second base job in Kansas City if he can just hit a little. With his masterful defense, that's all the Royals expect.

Blanco is a defensive wizard who has shown no propensity to hit as well has he showed in his short 2004 stint in Kansas City. He has a career batting average of .255 and has yet to hit a professional home run. His impressive defense and surprising hitting had some considering moving Angel Berroa to third, but the Royals are adamant that Blanco needs to develop as a hitter before he becomes a part of the long-term plan. Blanco will fight Tony Graffanino for the second-base job in 2005.