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Jabari Blash Signs With Rakuten Golden Eagles

By Connor Byrne | December 15, 2018 at 5:57pm CDT

Outfielder Jabari Blash has signed a one-year contract worth approximately $1.06MM with the Rakuten Golden Eagles of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball, according to the Japan Times. Robert Murray of The Athletic first reported Blash was headed to Japan.

The 29-year-old Blash came free when the Angels released him Nov. 29, ending his stint with the franchise after one season. An eighth-round pick of the Mariners in 2010, Blash joined the Padres in 2016 in a minor deal with the M’s. Then, after spending two years with the Padres, they sent him to the Yankees last December in a swap which also featured Chase Headley and Bryan Mitchell. Blash wasn’t long for the Yankees, though, as they dealt him to the Halos in yet another minor trade last February.

The power-hitting Blash spent most of last season at Triple-A Salt Lake, where he slashed an excellent .317/.431/.700 (188 wRC+) with 29 home runs in 346 plate appearances. Running roughshod over the highest level of the minors wasn’t anything new for Blash, who has posted a 1.000 OPS and amassed 94 HRs across 1,283 Triple-A PAs. However, Blash hasn’t been nearly that effective in the majors, where he has hit .186/.306/.307 (71 wRC+) with eight long balls in 324 trips to the plate.

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35 Comments

  1. LosAngelesAngelesAngelesAngelsOfLosAngeles

    7 years ago

    I get the feeling he will tear it up

    13
    Reply
    • restingmitchface

      7 years ago

      I think so, too. I wouldn’t be surprised if he put himself back on the map after a couple seasons. I mean, the 324 MLB PA’s we’re pretty bad — but damn, that’s a one hell of a small sample size.

      7
      Reply
      • Costanza13

        7 years ago

        I agree. 324 PA’s is nothing. The Toronto Blue Jays should give him a chance for an outfield spot.

        1
        Reply
        • basebalI1600

          7 years ago

          Hah

          Reply
        • STLCards33

          7 years ago

          What a meaningful and well thought out contribution

          Reply
    • stansfield123

      7 years ago

      Yep. He’s g0nna kill.

      1
      Reply
    • disadvantage

      7 years ago

      I have him pegged for 50 HRs.

      1
      Reply
      • GareBear

        7 years ago

        He has light tower power, this is one of the few times I could see 50 being reasonably possible. Just imagine if he had joined the KBO instead!

        1
        Reply
  2. xabial

    7 years ago

    What was the PTBNL Yankees recieved for him!

    We deserve to know. Good luck, Jabari. You always mash AAA and no doubt in my mind you’ll mash NPB. $1.06M is pretty legit, and better than any MiLB pact.

    4
    Reply
    • BasebaII1600

      7 years ago

      Big fan of his. Go Yankees.

      3
      Reply
      • costergaard2

        7 years ago

        A friend of mine never liked Headley and loves Blash to this day as the guy Headley left for…

        1
        Reply
  3. leftcoaster

    7 years ago

    He’ll hit 100 hr’s there.

    3
    Reply
  4. petrie000

    7 years ago

    Guess the means Rakuten is out on Bryce Harper, then?

    7
    Reply
    • ChiSox_Fan

      7 years ago

      That now makes the ChiSox the favorites to sign Harper.

      1
      Reply
    • simschifan

      7 years ago

      That would be funny if one day a huge free agent gets offered like a 10 year 500 million dollar contract in Japan and he goes. I know it’ll never happen but could you imagine Mike Trout going to Japan?

      2
      Reply
  5. 2012orioles

    7 years ago

    Giraffeneckmarc’s biggest fan

    3
    Reply
    • BasebaII1600

      7 years ago

      It’s hilarious how he started referencing the most random player in his videos and how they ended up actually being friends in real life.

      1
      Reply
  6. MetsYankeesRedSox

    7 years ago

    Cool name!
    Drop the L in his last name.

    5
    Reply
  7. SDHotDawg

    7 years ago

    Congrats to Jabari, the poster boy for 4-A players. He’s a nice guy, and he should do well over there.

    4
    Reply
  8. PhilliesFan012

    7 years ago

    Wladimirs HR record about to be erased McCain good Luck Blash!

    3
    Reply
    • stansfield123

      7 years ago

      I think Jabaris’ gonna do great in Japan, but Wladimir would’ve mashed in the Majors too. That record (60 untainted homers in a 142 game season) is in less danger than Maris’ 61 in a 162 game season, (actually, I predict Judge is gonna break 61 in the next three years).

      Reply
  9. Paul Heyman

    7 years ago

    Goodbye Goat!

    Reply
  10. TooToughToScuffle

    7 years ago

    Doubt he hits as good as Triple A. More pressure. Probably will still mash a bunch of homers though.

    3
    Reply
  11. Yort

    7 years ago

    3 years from now Jabari will be a legend in this league!

    4
    Reply
    • EasternLeagueVeteran

      7 years ago

      The next Eric Thames…..

      Reply
  12. Soldierofgod619

    7 years ago

    One of those too good for AAA not good enough for the Majors. 1million for 1 season is a nice deal in my opinion. Another former padre goes to Asia

    1
    Reply
  13. 619bird

    7 years ago

    Mitchell needs to go to Japan. Guy is kid kerosene. Maybe the Padres can trade him for some Koi Fish.

    Reply
  14. costergaard2

    7 years ago

    btw… if you’ve never ventured across the pond and seen Japanese baseball, do yourself the favor and go, it’s really fun to experience in person.

    Reply
    • stansfield123

      7 years ago

      Yeah, the audience gets involved in the game a tad more :). Imagine the “wave” you (sadly) see at Yankee Stadium during most regular season games, replaced by everyone fully focused on the game, and screaming out personalized chants for each hitter as they come to the plate.

      Reply
  15. Lefty Grove’s right hand

    7 years ago

    Prime example of a AAAA player. Yet, I was hoping he would’ve it in the majors.

    1
    Reply
    • EasternLeagueVeteran

      7 years ago

      The current Roger Freed. Great guy. Great AAA power before the time of launch angles. But couldn’t really do it in the major leagues. Most of you guys would have to
      Look that one up, though.

      Reply
  16. 27doWN

    7 years ago

    Wish him the best of luck. I remember seeing his highlights one night on espn. It must have been spring training, where hit 3 hrs with a combined distance over 1200ft.

    Reply
  17. InternetBaseballGuy

    7 years ago

    RIP ANGELS. Good luck winning another World Series without that guy! Jafari Splash!

    1
    Reply
  18. RedRooster

    7 years ago

    Lotta former Padres going to play in Asia this year

    Reply
  19. stevep-4

    7 years ago

    Bull Durham would have been a very short movie if Crash Davis had signed with a Japanese team. Or, something more like Gung Ho.

    Reply

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