In a move that flew under our radar last month, the Nationals re-signed first baseman/outfielder Travis Blankenhorn to a minor league contract, according to Blankenhorn’s MLB.com profile page. The Nats outrighted Blankenhorn off their 40-man roster in October, and he chose to reject the assignment in favor of free agency, as is his right as a player who has previously been outrighted off a 40-man roster during his career.
Blankenhorn signed a minors deal with Washington last winter and spent most of 2023 at the Triple-A level, where he hit an impressive .262/.360/.517 and 23 homers over 455 plate appearances for the Rochester Red Wings. He didn’t receive a callup to the big league roster until the start of September, and he amassed 37 PA over 10 games for the Nationals before his season was prematurely ended by a bout of plantar fasciitis.
Originally a third-round pick for the Twins in the 2015 draft, Blankenhorn made his MLB debut in 2020 by appearing in a single game for Minnesota. He also made a one-game cameo in the 2022 season with the Mets, and overall, the 27-year-old has 36 games and 68 PA as a big leaguer with Washington, New York, and Minnesota. Over 1053 career PA at Triple-A, Blankenhorn has hit .261/.353/.485 with 48 home runs.
The bulk of Blankenhorn’s minor league playing time has come as a second and third baseman, though he hasn’t played the hot corner at any level since 2019, and he played only as a first baseman and corner outfielder in 2023. That still gives him a fair amount of defensive versatility, and Blankenhorn’s left-handed bat makes him an interesting possible depth complement since Joey Meneses, Stone Garrett, and Lane Thomas are all right-handed hitters. An injury or trade might be required for Blankenhorn to really get an opportunity on the Nationals’ active roster, but he’ll return to the organization as a familiar depth piece for Rochester’s team.
Why no mention of Jacob Young in the outfield mix?
I think he’s focusing on corner OFs. Young and Victor Robles are primarily CFs. Plus the Nats have a few top prospects who they hope force their way into the OF conversation in the not too distant future.
Interesting why Big City Matt Adams never got a few games in the Show last year or any discussion for 2024 at 1b for the Nats?
He had semi-respectable numbers in 2023 for them.
Adams had a .727 ops at aaa, below league average. I’m fine with him not getting the call.
He played better than the ones they had on Nats MLB roster. Smith, Mennesses didn’t look impressive!
I remember Blankenhorn as a Twins prospect. He was kind of viewed as a fringey type guy, but it looks like he made big changes to his plate discipline. He’s never really received any opportunities at the MLB level, but he’s hit well enough in the high minors. Might be worth a look for the Nationals.
Unless one of Belt / Pederson / Rosario / Gallo fall into the Nats price range, there’s an opening on the MLB roster for a lefty bat at 1st and LF. Nats probably area a good place for him to land. hit well enough in the minors for them.
Blankenhorn of Plenty had a few highlights with the Mets including a pinch hit homerun.
Oh boy, our big lefty bat…
Wow. That sure improves our minor leagues.
The Nats are a hotbed of activity.
I think Matt Adams should be the first baseman. He played just as good in the minors or better then the first baseman did on the Nats roster mlb. However, he got a raw deal last year. Not sure I will continue being a Nats fan or not!