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Joe Blanton
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Joe Blanton
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Joseph Matthew Blanton (born December 11, 1980) is an American former professional baseball pitcher, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Oakland Athletics, Philadelphia Phillies, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Kansas City Royals, Pittsburgh Pirates, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Washington Nationals.

Key Information

After playing college baseball for the University of Kentucky, the Athletics selected him in the 2002 MLB draft and later made his MLB debut in 2004. While pitching for the Phillies, he was a member of the 2008 World Series championship team. Blanton continued to pitch in MLB through 2013, when he retired in 2014. Blanton returned from retirement to pitch in MLB from 2015 through 2017.

Amateur career

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Joe Blanton was born in Nashville, Tennessee, but grew up in Chalybeate, Kentucky.[1] He graduated from Franklin-Simpson High School in 1999.[2] He attended the University of Kentucky and played college baseball for the Kentucky Wildcats, with a 13–12 record from 2000 to 2002, and led the Southeastern Conference with 133 strikeouts in his final season, finishing with a 4.59 earned run average (ERA).[3] In 2001 he played collegiate summer baseball in the Cape Cod Baseball League for the Bourne Braves.[4]

Professional career

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Minor leagues

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The Oakland Athletics selected Blanton in the first round of the 2002 Major League Baseball draft using a compensation pick from the New York Yankees for the signing of free agent Jason Giambi.[5] This draft was chronicled by Michael Lewis in his book, Moneyball.[6] In 2003, while pitching for the Kane County Cougars and the Midland RockHounds,[7] Blanton ranked second in all of Minor League Baseball with a combined 174 strikeouts. The next season, he helped the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats win the Pacific Coast League Championship with an 11–8 record and a 4.19 ERA. He struck out 143 batters in 176 innings, tossing one complete game in 26 starts.[7]

Oakland Athletics

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Blanton made his major league debut on September 21, 2004, against the Texas Rangers. He made three appearances and pitched eight innings. He posted a 5.63 ERA and did not get a decision in any of his games.

Blanton with the Athletics

In 2005, Blanton joined the starting rotation that had lost pitchers Mark Mulder and Tim Hudson to trades.[8] He made his first start on April 8 against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, pitching five innings and allowing two runs. After losing his first five decisions, he picked up his first win when he worked seven innings against the Toronto Blue Jays on June 4. Blanton was third on the team in innings pitched, but still exceeded 200 innings in his first full season.[9] He posted a 12–12 record with a 3.53 ERA in 33 starts, and his 33 starts set an Oakland rookie record for most games started which had broken the previous mark of 32 set by Matt Keough in 1978. His ERA was best among all rookies with 100 or more innings pitched.[10] He also tied the Oakland rookie record for most wins in a season with 12.[10] His first career complete game came in a 1–0 loss to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on April 24, 2005;[11] he was the only rookie to post two complete games in 2005.[10] Blanton's high loss total was attributed to poor run support, as the A's only posted six runs total in all twelve of his losses combined, while posting 62 runs in his 12 wins.[10] Blanton was also named the American League Rookie of the Month for June, as he tied with teammate Dan Haren for the AL lead in wins and finished third in ERA in June.[10]

In 2006, Blanton's ERA rose over a full point to 4.82 and gave up the fifth highest number of hits in the American League (241),[12] resulting in a .309 batting average against. However, he had four more wins than the previous year, posting a 16–12 record, striking out 107 batters and walking 58.[13] He pitched his first career complete game shutout against the Kansas City Royals on May 31.[12] Blanton did not pitch in the ALDS for the Athletics, but was named to the roster for the ALCS, where he pitched two innings in one appearance, allowing no hits or runs.[14]

Blanton had a 14–10 record in 230 innings pitched in 2007. He struck out 140 batters, walked 40, and gave up 101 earned runs, resulting in a 3.95 ERA for the year.[15] Though Blanton's road and home records were the same (7–5), his home ERA was 2.69 compared with 5.11 on the road.[16] He also pitched three complete games in 2007, but his first one of the season was his third career complete-game loss, on April 25.[16] Blanton made his 100th career appearance at the end of the season, in a 7–3 win against the Texas Rangers on September 15.[16]

The A's traded Blanton, who had a 5–12 record and a 4.96 ERA to the Philadelphia Phillies for second baseman Adrian Cárdenas, pitcher Josh Outman, and outfielder Matthew Spencer on July 17, 2008.[17]

Philadelphia Phillies

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Blanton with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2011

In Blanton's first start for the Phillies, he pitched six innings and allowed five runs; however, he did not factor in the decision as the Phillies scored six runs off the New York Mets' bullpen in the ninth inning to win.[18] On August 2, Blanton recorded his first win as a Phillie against the St. Louis Cardinals by a score of 2–1 in his third Phillies start. For the season, 51% of his strikeouts were "looking", the highest percentage in the majors.[19]

In Game 4 of the 2008 World Series, Blanton hit his first major league home run to become the 13th pitcher overall and first since Ken Holtzman in 1974 to hit a home run in a World Series game. He was also credited with the win in the Phillies' Game 4 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays, pitching six innings and allowing two runs on four hits.[20] On January 21, 2010, the Phillies announced Blanton agreed to a three-year extension worth $24 million.[21]

Los Angeles Dodgers

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On August 3, 2012, Blanton was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers for a player to be named later (minor league prospect Ryan O'Sullivan). He started 10 games for the Dodgers and was 2–4 with a 4.99 ERA.[22] He became a free agent following the season.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

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In December 2012, Blanton signed a two-year contract worth $15 million with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.[23][24] Blanton would go on to finish the 2013 season with a disappointing 2–14 record and a 6.04 ERA.[25] Most of his struggles were attributed to the home run ball, giving up 29 in 132.2 innings. On March 26, 2014, Blanton was granted his unconditional release from the Angels.[26]

Second stint with the Oakland Athletics

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On March 31, 2014, the Oakland Athletics signed Blanton to a minor league deal and sent him to the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats.[27] He made two starts in the minors and then on April 13, 2014, Blanton announced his retirement from baseball.[28][29]

After working out in the offseason with Gallatin, Tennessee, neighbor and fellow pitcher Zach Duke,[30][31] Blanton announced that he would attempt a comeback for the 2015 season.[32] He pitched in a pro day at Volunteer State Community College in Gallatin to demonstrate his pitching for potential major league clubs.[31]

Kansas City Royals

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On February 13, 2015, Blanton signed a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals.[33] Blanton would earn $1 million at the major league level with up to $3 million in incentives. The contract contained an invitation to spring training, and two opt-out clauses on April 1 and May 15.[34] He had his contract selected to the major league roster on May 16, where he debuted against the Yankees, pitching four innings of relief with one earned run in a 5–1 loss. On July 28, Blanton was designated for assignment to make room for Johnny Cueto. Despite the fact that he was traded before the Royals' World Series run that year, he still received a World Series ring, the second of his career.[35]

Pittsburgh Pirates

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On July 29, 2015, Blanton was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates for cash considerations.[36] Blanton appeared in 21 games, going 5–0 with a 1.57 ERA. He struck out 39 batters in 34+1⁄3 innings pitched. He became a free agent following the season.

Second stint with Los Angeles Dodgers

[edit]

On January 19, 2016, Blanton signed a one-year, $4 million contract to return to the Dodgers.[37] He became the Dodgers primary setup man, appearing in 75 games with a 7–2 record and a 2.48 ERA in 80 innings.[38] He pitched five scoreless innings in the 2016 National League Division Series against the Washington Nationals[39] but struggled in the 2016 National League Championship Series against the Chicago Cubs, allowing seven earned runs in only three innings of work to be credited with the loss in two games.[40] He became a free agent following the season.

Washington Nationals

[edit]

On March 2, 2017, Blanton signed a one-year, $4 million contract with the Washington Nationals.[41] He was put on the 10-day disabled list on May 17 with right shoulder inflammation[42] and reactivated June 11.[43] Both before and after his stint on the disabled list, Blanton struggled with a significant increase in his rate of home runs given up.[44] He finished the 2017 season with a 2–4 record and a 5.68 ERA in 44+1⁄3 innings across 51 appearances, all in relief. Blanton retired following the 2017 season.[45]

Personal life

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Blanton and his wife, LeeAndra, have three children and live in St. Helena, California, where they own a 3-acre (1.2 ha) vineyard on Howell Mountain producing cabernet sauvignon.[45][46]

Scouting

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Blanton threw a low-90's fastball, along with a 12–6 curveball, a slider, and a straight changeup.[47] His curveball was his best secondary pitch, drawing comparisons to former teammate Barry Zito's 12–6 curve.

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Joe Blanton

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from Grokipedia
Joseph Matthew Blanton (born December 11, 1980) is an American former professional baseball pitcher who played thirteen seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for seven teams from 2004 to 2017. Drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the first round (24th overall) of the 2002 MLB Draft out of the University of Kentucky, Blanton made his MLB debut with the Athletics on September 21, 2004. He spent his early career with Oakland (2004–2008), where he established himself as a reliable starting pitcher, compiling a 47–46 record with a 4.25 ERA and 431 strikeouts over 756 innings. Traded to the Philadelphia Phillies at the July 2008 trade deadline, Blanton became a key member of their rotation during a championship run, finishing the year 9–12 with a 4.69 ERA across both teams. Blanton's most notable achievement came in the 2008 postseason, where he helped the Phillies win their second title; in Game 4 against the , he pitched 6 innings of 2-run ball for the win while hitting a solo in the fifth —the first by a Phillies in World Series history and the first by any since 1974. He remained with Philadelphia through 2012 (split with a midseason trade to the ), posting a 34–23 record and 4.57 ERA in 137 games. After signing with the Los Angeles Angels for 2013, where he struggled with a 6.04 in 28 starts, Blanton spent 2014 in the minors before returning to MLB in 2015 with the (traded midseason to the ). He transitioned to a relief role later in his career, enjoying a career-best 2.48 in 75 appearances for the Dodgers in 2016 and concluding with the in 2017. Over his full MLB tenure, Blanton appeared in 427 games (252 starts), finishing with a 101–97 record, 4.38 , 1,284 strikeouts, and 1,767.2 innings pitched, while earning two saves and contributing to one championship.

Early life and amateur career

Early life

Joseph Matthew Blanton was born on December 11, 1980, in . He spent his early years on his family's farm in the rural community of , near , where he was raised in a close-knit household. Blanton's parents were Joe Blanton Sr., a farmer affectionately known as "Big Joe," and Carolyn Blanton, who supported the family's agricultural lifestyle. He has a younger sister named Kara, and the family resided on the farm throughout his childhood, with no major relocations noted. Growing up amid farm duties like feeding cows, tending tobacco fields, and baling hay instilled a sense of responsibility, though Blanton often voiced complaints about the labor-intensive chores. Blanton's initial involvement in sports began at age four, when his father introduced him to baseball by pitching to him in the backyard and insisting on correct fundamentals from the outset, as Carolyn recalled: "He’s only 4. He said, ‘If he’s going to do this, he’s going to learn to do this right.’" This early guidance, combined with the rural environment that emphasized perseverance, laid the foundation for his athletic development before his organized high school pursuits.

High school career

Joe Blanton attended Edmonson County High School in Brownsville, , for his first three years of high school, where he began developing his skills as a . He transferred to Franklin-Simpson High School in Franklin, , for his senior year in 1998-1999, coached by Greg Shelton, and lettered in for six years overall during his high school career. At Franklin-Simpson, Blanton emerged as a standout , excelling both on the and at the plate. In his senior season, Blanton posted an impressive 13-1 record with a 0.52 , striking out 157 batters in 89 , which ranked second in (KHSAA) history for single-season strikeouts at the time. His dominant performance earned him the Kentucky Mr. Baseball award in 1999, along with first-team All-State honors and Pitcher of the Year recognition. Blanton's high school achievements drew significant recruitment interest from colleges, culminating in his commitment to the as part of a highly regarded 1999 recruiting class ranked 25th nationally by Collegiate Baseball magazine.

College career

Blanton enrolled at the in 2000, where he played for the Wildcats in the (SEC) from 2000 to 2002. As a in 2000, Blanton primarily served in relief, appearing in 19 games with one start, posting a 5-0 record and a 5.54 over 50.1 while recording 44 strikeouts. In his year of 2001, he tied for the team lead with 22 appearances and developed into a starter with six starts, finishing 3-5 with a 5.52 in 58.2 innings and 54 strikeouts; he pitched his first career in a loss to Ole Miss, striking out six batters. Blanton's junior season in 2002 marked his emergence as the team's ace, leading the staff in starts (14), complete games (three), innings pitched (100.0), and strikeouts (133) en route to a 5-7 record and a 4.59 ERA. He earned national player of the week honors from Collegiate Baseball and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association after a standout performance against Ball State. Following this season, Blanton declared for the MLB Draft and was selected by the Oakland Athletics in the first round (24th overall).

Professional career

Draft and minor leagues

The Oakland Athletics selected Joe Blanton in the first round, 24th overall, of the 2002 Major League Baseball Draft, using a compensation pick obtained from the New York Yankees for the free-agent departure of Jason Giambi. Blanton, a right-handed pitcher from the University of Kentucky, signed with the Athletics on July 20, 2002, for a $1.4 million signing bonus. Blanton made his professional debut that summer with the Athletics' Short-Season A affiliate, the of the , where he posted a 1-1 record with a 3.14 and 15 strikeouts over 14.1 in four appearances, all starts. He was then promoted late in the season to High-A Modesto A's of the , appearing in one game with a 7.50 in 6.0 . In 2003, Blanton transitioned fully into a starting role and showed significant development at Kane County Cougars of the , where he went 8-7 with a 2.57 , striking out 144 batters in 133 innings across 21 starts, demonstrating improved command and endurance. Promoted to Double-A of the in August, he excelled in a brief stint, recording a 3-1 mark with a 1.26 and 30 strikeouts in 35.2 innings over seven starts. The following year, 2004, Blanton reached Triple-A with the of the , compiling an 11-8 record, a 4.19 , and 143 strikeouts in 176.1 innings as a full-time starter, solidifying his readiness for the major leagues. Blanton returned to the minors in 2014 on a minor-league deal with the Athletics, making two starts for the Triple-A , where he went 1-0 with a 5.06 and 10 strikeouts in 10.2 innings. On April 13, 2014, after those outings, Blanton announced his retirement from professional baseball.

Oakland Athletics (first stint)

Blanton made his major league debut with the on September 21, 2004, pitching a scoreless ninth inning in relief during a 9-4 loss to the Texas Rangers at the , where he retired the side in order and struck out one batter. This brief appearance capped a rapid ascent from the , where he had posted a 2.51 across three levels in 2004 following his first-round draft selection in 2002. In 2005, Blanton secured a spot in the ' starting rotation amid the team's rebuilding phase after trading away key pitchers and . He endured an early winless streak through his first 10 starts, going 0-7 despite a respectable 3.80 , largely due to poor run support from the offense. Blanton steadied himself midseason, earning his first victory on June 5 against the Toronto Blue Jays, allowing two runs over seven innings in a 5-2 win at the Coliseum. For the year, he finished 12-12 with a 3.53 over 157.1 , tying an Oakland rookie record for wins and establishing himself as a reliable -eater. Blanton's role as a mainstay starter continued in 2006 and 2007, during which he compiled a 30-22 record with a 4.35 across 424.1 innings, showcasing durability with at least 31 starts each season. In 2006, he achieved career highs with 16 wins and 194.1 , contributing to the ' American League Championship Series appearance. In 2007, Blanton had a strong season with 14 wins, a 3.95 , and 230 innings in 34 starts. On July 17, 2008, the Athletics traded Blanton to the Phillies in exchange for minor league prospects Adrian Cardenas, Josh Outman, and Matt Spencer, as part of Oakland's ongoing youth movement. Through his first stint with the Athletics from 2004 to mid-2008, Blanton went 47-46 with a 4.38 in 122 appearances (118 starts), logging 760.2 innings and providing steady mid-rotation production.

Philadelphia Phillies

On July 17, 2008, the Philadelphia Phillies acquired Joe Blanton from the in exchange for prospects Josh Outman, Adrian Cárdenas, and Matt Spencer, inserting him immediately into the starting rotation as the team pursued a postseason berth. In his partial 2008 season with Philadelphia, Blanton went 4–0 with a 4.20 over 70⅔ innings, providing reliable depth to a rotation that led the majors in . Blanton's tenure with the Phillies from to featured consistent performance amid high expectations, culminating in a 34–25 record and a 4.53 across 616 . His most productive year came in 2009, when he posted a 12–8 mark with a 4.05 in 195⅓ innings, anchoring the rotation during a 93-win season. The following years brought challenges, including a 4.82 in amid defensive support issues. On June 2, , Blanton pitched a against the —his only career . A shortened 2011 campaign was limited to 41⅓ by an elbow injury, though he achieved a career-best 3.89 K/BB ratio that season before going on the disabled list. In , Blanton rebounded with an 8–9 record and 4.59 in 133⅓ prior to the trade deadline. Blanton's postseason contributions were pivotal during Philadelphia's contention window, including appearances in three (2008, 2009, and 2010). In the against the , he earned the win in Game 4 with six innings of two-run ball and struck out seven, while also recording his first career —a solo shot in the fifth inning that drove in one run and helped secure a 10–2 victory, aiding the Phillies' eventual five-game series triumph. On August 3, 2012, the Phillies traded Blanton to the for cash considerations following a claim, ending his four-plus seasons in .

Los Angeles Dodgers (first stint)

On August 3, 2012, the Phillies traded right-handed Joe Blanton to the after the Dodgers claimed him on , in exchange for a or cash considerations. The deal was finalized on August 16, 2012, when Los Angeles sent minor league pitching prospect Ryan to . Blanton, who had struggled earlier in the 2012 season with the Phillies, joined a Dodgers rotation in need of reinforcement following the non- trade deadline. Blanton served as a back-end starter for the Dodgers, providing stability amid the team's transitional period under new ownership and ahead of major midseason acquisitions like . In 10 starts spanning the final two months of the season, he posted a 2-4 record with a 4.99 , allowing 66 hits and 32 earned runs over 57.2 while striking out 51 batters. After the Dodgers finished second in the National League West, Blanton became a at the end of the 2012 season and signed a two-year contract with the of Anaheim.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

In December 2012, shortly after his brief stint with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Blanton signed a two-year, $15 million contract with the of Anaheim. Blanton's 2013 season with the Angels represented a sharp decline, as he struggled throughout his 28 appearances, including 20 starts, finishing with a 2–14 record and a 6.04 ERA over 132+2⁄3 innings pitched. He surrendered a major league-leading 29 home runs and 180 hits, often failing to escape innings with runners in scoring position, which amplified the Angels' rotation woes. Despite logging a substantial workload that showcased his durability, Blanton's command issues and vulnerability to power hitting led to consistently high run totals, with the team suffering defeats in 14 of his outings. Several starts highlighted Blanton's difficulties. In his Angels debut on April 4 against the , he allowed three home runs and five runs on seven hits in five innings, contributing to a 5–4 loss. On May 14 versus the Detroit Tigers, Blanton gave up seven runs on 12 hits in just 4+2⁄3 innings, extending the Angels' in his starts to eight. Later, on July 10 against the Chicago Cubs, he matched his career high by permitting four home runs, including a three-run shot by that sealed a 7–2 defeat. The Angels released Blanton unconditionally on March 26, 2014, during , leaving them obligated to pay the remaining $7.5 million on his contract. After signing a minor league deal with the and making two starts for Triple-A Sacramento, where he allowed 7 runs over 10.2 innings, Blanton announced his retirement on April 13, 2014.

Later MLB stints

After retiring following a brief and unsuccessful stint with the ' Triple-A affiliate in 2014, where he posted a 5.06 in two starts, Joe Blanton stepped away from to focus on family. At the urging of fellow pitcher and friend , Blanton decided to attempt a comeback for the 2015 season, signing a contract with the on February 13 that included a $1 million salary if added to the major league roster, plus incentives up to $3 million. Blanton began the year with the Royals' Triple-A affiliate, the , before his contract was selected and he was called up to the majors on May 16. In 15 appearances for Kansas City, including four starts, he worked primarily as a reliever and spot starter, compiling a 2-2 record with a 3.89 over 41⅔ , striking out 40 batters while allowing six home runs. On July 28, the Royals designated him for assignment to clear a roster spot following a deadline acquisition. The next day, July 29, he was to the for cash considerations. With the Pirates, Blanton transitioned fully to a relief role, appearing in 21 games and posting a strong 5-0 record with a 1.57 in 34⅓ innings, including 39 strikeouts and just one allowed. Across both teams in , Blanton made 36 appearances—four as starts—totaling 76 innings with a 7-2 record, 2.84 , and 79 strikeouts, marking a successful return from retirement in a versatile but limited capacity.

Pittsburgh Pirates

Blanton joined the late in the 2015 season via a trade from the on July 29, in exchange for cash considerations, after the Royals designated him for assignment following their acquisition of . The 34-year-old right-hander was activated the next day and slotted into the Pirates' bullpen as middle relief depth, providing versatility amid injuries to several starting pitchers in the contending organization's push for the . This move came shortly after Blanton's earlier 2015 stint with the Royals, where he had split time between starting and relieving. Over the remainder of the regular season, Blanton appeared in 21 relief outings for Pittsburgh, posting a 5-0 record with a 1.57 ERA across 34.1 innings, allowing just six earned runs while striking out 39 batters. His effective transition to a full-time relief role helped stabilize the Pirates' pitching staff during their NL Central-winning campaign, as he limited opponents to a .216 batting average against and contributed to the team's postseason berth. Blanton did not appear in the playoffs, but his late-season reliability underscored his value as organizational depth in a season that saw Pittsburgh advance to the National League Championship Series.

Kansas City Royals

On February 13, 2015, Blanton signed a minor league contract with the , which included a $1 million salary should he reach the major leagues, along with performance incentives up to $3 million. After failing to secure a spot on the roster, Blanton exercised an opt-out clause but ultimately chose to accept an assignment to Triple-A Omaha on March 31, 2015, to continue developing as a reliever. Blanton was promoted to the majors on May 16, 2015, to bolster the Royals' bullpen depth as a capable of eating multiple innings. In 15 appearances (four starts) with Kansas City, he posted a 2–2 record with a 3.89 , allowing 43 hits and 19 earned runs while striking out 40 batters over 41⅔ innings. His versatility helped stabilize the pitching staff during the team's late-season playoff push, providing reliable length in spot starts and relief outings amid a competitive race. Although Blanton contributed to the Royals' momentum heading into the postseason, he did not appear in the , as the team designated him for assignment on July 28, 2015, to clear a roster spot for newly acquired starter . The next day, on July 29, 2015, Kansas City traded him to the for cash considerations.

Second stint with the Los Angeles Dodgers

On January 19, , Blanton signed a one-year, $4 million contract with the , marking his return to the organization after brief stints elsewhere following his initial time with the team in 2012. The deal included up to $1 million in performance incentives based on . During the season, Blanton evolved into a reliable out of the , leveraging his prior starting experience to handle long relief outings while serving as a key setup reliever, particularly in the second half of the year. His success in this role contributed to the Dodgers' division title. Blanton appeared in a team-high 75 games, all in relief, posting a 7–2 record with a 2.48 over 80 , during which he recorded 80 strikeouts and limited opponents to a .226 . This performance marked a significant rebound, building on his effective relief appearances with the in 2015 that had reignited interest from MLB teams. Blanton also made postseason appearances for the Dodgers in 2016, pitching in the against the , where he allowed one run over 2⅔ innings across two outings. Following the season, he elected free agency on November 3, 2016.

Washington Nationals

On March 2, 2017, the signed veteran right-handed reliever Joe Blanton to a one-year contract worth $4 million, including up to $1 million in performance incentives based on . Blanton, who had spent the previous season with the , joined the Nationals' bullpen as a following a career transition to relief pitching. During the 2017 season, Blanton appeared in 51 games for the Nationals, all in relief, posting a 2–4 record with a 5.68 over 44⅓ , allowing 53 hits, 10 home runs, and 13 walks while recording 39 strikeouts. He began the year effectively but was placed on the 10-day disabled list on May 17 with right shoulder inflammation, missing over three weeks before returning on June 11. In the late season, amid the Nationals' push to clinch the division—which they won on September 23—Blanton provided depth to the bullpen, making seven appearances in September for 6⅓ innings with a 1.42 and six strikeouts, including a hold on September 24 against the . His contributions helped stabilize a relief corps that supported the team's 97-win campaign and postseason berth, though the Nationals were eliminated in the NLDS by the Chicago Cubs. Blanton did not appear in the playoffs and elected free agency on November 2, 2017, subsequently announcing his retirement and concluding a 13-year Major League Baseball career with 101 wins, a 4.38 ERA, and 1,284 strikeouts across 427 games.

Playing style and scouting

Scouting report

Joe Blanton entered the 2002 MLB Draft as a polished college right-hander with a solid scouting profile, highlighted by a fastball that typically sat at 92-93 mph and occasionally touched 95 mph, complemented by a plus curveball and advanced control relative to his age. His command was evident in his junior season at the , where he recorded a 133-to-37 -to-walk ratio over 100 . Post-draft, Blanton quickly emerged as a key prospect in the ' system, ranked as the organization's No. 10 overall prospect by Baseball America entering the 2003 season. Scouts projected him as a dependable innings-eater with above-average command but without elite velocity, fitting the mold of a reliable mid-rotation starter who could provide consistent outings rather than dominant totals. Blanton's professional trajectory initially validated this evaluation, as he became a durable workhorse in the starting rotation during his first several major league seasons, routinely exceeding 200 in 2007 and 2008. Later in his career, however, a series of injuries—including elbow impingement in 2011 and shoulder inflammation in 2017—eroded his stamina, prompting a successful shift to relief pitching around age 34 that extended his effectiveness into his late 30s.

Pitch repertoire

Joe Blanton's pitching arsenal centered on a as his primary offering, typically sitting in the 89-91 mph range with good location and control that allowed him to work efficiently in counts. This , thrown with a consistent release point, emphasized command over velocity, enabling Blanton to induce weak contact and limit walks throughout his career. Complementing the fastball was his plus , featuring sharp 12-6 movement and averaging around 79 mph, which generated swing-and-miss potential when located low . The was rarely swung at and missed overall— data showed it producing contact rates above 90% in many seasons—but it excelled at inducing groundballs compared to league-average curves, contributing to Blanton's groundball tendencies of approximately 45-50% in his starting years. Blanton often relied on this pitch to steal strikes early in counts, pairing it with his for a high-low dynamic. Against left-handed batters, Blanton deployed his as a key tool, averaging 85 mph with natural sink that mirrored his arm action to create late movement away from opposite-handed hitters. This pitch posted high whiff rates, such as a 59% contact rate against lefties in , making it his most effective offering for generating swings and misses in situations. Usage of the hovered around 15-20% in starter roles, often thrown down and away to righties as well, though it shone brightest versus lefties. Later in his career, Blanton added a to his mix around , averaging 86 mph with moderate horizontal break and serving as a bridge pitch for sequencing. This became his most frequent offering in appearances, used over 30% of the time in 2016-2017, with whiff rates around 29% that helped neutralize right-handed batters. As a starter in his early career with the and , Blanton leaned heavily on his -curveball combination for roughly 70-80% of pitches, using the up and the below to set up hitters. This approach prioritized control and groundball contact over strikeouts, with his command proving pivotal to efficiency. Transitioning to a reliever in 2015 with the and beyond, Blanton diversified his mix by elevating slider usage to over 35% and occasionally incorporating a sinker, while his ticked up slightly to 91 mph despite overall lower speeds in shorter outings. This shift improved his command in high-leverage spots, reducing walks and boosting overall effectiveness, though his groundball rate dipped to around 34% in the role.

Personal life and post-retirement

Family and personal interests

Blanton married LeeAndra Blanton in November 2007, after meeting her the previous July in during his early years in with the . The couple, who bonded over shared interests in the Bay Area and wine, incorporated pre-game rituals into Blanton's routine, including a phone call to LeeAndra for good luck before starts, alongside his personal habits of morning shaving and a pregame . The Blantons have three children—daughters Adalia and Leyla, and son Mateo—born during his active , though the family has largely maintained their privacy from public scrutiny. Blanton's upbringing on a family farm in with parents Joe and Carolyn, and sister Kara, instilled a strong that carried into his professional life. Beyond baseball, Blanton pursued personal rejuvenation through annual off-season trips to Napa Valley with LeeAndra, typically in November, where they spent weeks relaxing in the northern valley to mentally reset after the season's demands. His interest in wine developed early in his career with the through team dinners, with a notable experience during his 2007 tenure with the Phillies when a team dinner featured a 2002 Joseph Phelps Insignia that introduced him to the nuances of fine wines.

Winemaking career

After concluding his Major League Baseball career in 2017, Joe Blanton transitioned into the wine industry, purchasing a 7-acre property on Howell Mountain near , in 2014 alongside his wife, LeeAndra Blanton. This acquisition marked the foundation of Selah Wines, with the couple releasing their inaugural 2014 vintage in November 2017. Blanton's longstanding interest in wine, which originated from team dinners during his playing days with the , evolved from a personal hobby into a dedicated venture; he enrolled in college-level courses and collaborated with consulting winemaker Thomas Brown to oversee production. Selah Wines centers on small-lot, estate-grown sourced from a 2.75-acre at 1,700 feet , utilizing clones 7 and 337 for a focused, varietal expression of Napa Valley . The operation produces approximately 250 cases annually, emphasizing quality over volume, with additional explorations into other Napa varietals such as a 2023 from Sonoma County grapes. Blanton handles day-to-day operations, including harvest assistance and direct , transforming the winery from a post-retirement passion project into a commercial entity through direct sales, private tastings, and branded events. By 2024, Selah Wines expanded its market reach beyond , hosting promotional events such as a private dinner in , where Blanton personally presented his wines to East Coast enthusiasts. This growth coincided with the Blantons' efforts to balance their winery commitments with family life, including the sale of their lakeside Nashville estate in 2018 for $1.69 million, while maintaining a residence in Napa County acquired in 2016.

Recognition and legacy

Joe Blanton achieved significant milestones in his MLB career, most notably as a key member of the champion Phillies, where he started Game 4 and contributed to the team's victory over the . Over 14 seasons from 2004 to 2017, he compiled 101 wins against 97 losses with a 4.38 ERA and 1,284 strikeouts in 1,767.2 , establishing himself as a reliable rotation presence. Blanton led the in during the 2005 and 2007 seasons, logging over 200 innings each year and totaling 625 innings from 2005 to 2007 as a durable workhorse starter. In recognition of his contributions, Blanton was honored as the 2023 SEC Baseball Legend by the , his alma mater, celebrating his journey from college standout to major league veteran. His 2008 trade to the Phillies from the , initially criticized for the cost of three prospects, proved invaluable as he helped anchor the rotation en route to the championship, earning retrospective appreciation for providing stability during a pivotal playoff push. Blanton's legacy endures as an underrated known for resilience, particularly in his late-career reinvention from starter to high-leverage reliever after a self-imposed in 2014, where he posted a 2.29 over 107 appearances from 2015 to 2016. A cultural highlight of his career came in Game 4 of the , when he hit the first by a in the Fall Classic since 1974—and the last ever, given the universal rule—driving in two runs in a 10-2 Phillies win that clinched the series lead. This rare feat underscored his all-around utility and remains a cherished moment in Phillies lore.

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