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Phillies 2017 Season Preview: Utility Man Andres Blanco

By John Town

Feb 25, 2017; Clearwater, FL, USA; Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Andres Blanco (4) works out prior to their spring training game against the New York Yankees at Bright House Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 25, 2017; Clearwater, FL, USA; Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Andres Blanco (4) works out prior to their spring training game against the New York Yankees at Bright House Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Phillies brought back utility infielder Andres Blanco for the 2017 season on a one-year deal. How much of an impact can the 32-year old make?

Not everyone on the Phillies roster this season is going to be a star, but that doesn’t mean they can’t have an effect on the team. Utility man Andres Blanco is the exact kind of guy the team needs on their bench.

After a 2015 season where he hit for a .292/.360/.502 slash line in 106 games as “the most surprising hitter of the season” according to Fangraphs, Blanco came into spring training in 2016 as the team’s designated utility man off the bench. He played every position in the infield as well as logging an inning in left field during the season.

Blanco influenced the team beyond his versatility on the diamond. Manager Pete Mackanin told Meghan Montemurro of The News Journal:

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"“I was the first one to say I wanted him, because he did so many good things for the team last year – not only on the field but in the clubhouse and off the field,” Mackanin said at Bright House Field. “This guy, he’s a great liaison to the Latino players. He lets them know how to play the right way. He jumps them when they needed to be jumped. He’s a great guy to have in the clubhouse.”"

As the Phillies add more and more Latin players to their organization through the international scouting department, guys likes Blanco will be vital for the team. Blanco, who turns 33 April 11, allows Latin players who are still new to the U.S. to feel more comfortable in the clubhouse.

Which positions Blanco winds up seeing the most time at depends on how the team fills out the rest of their bench.

Even with the impact Blanco has on the team’s growing number of Latin players, it wasn’t a guarantee that he would be back in Philadelphia. There was silence from the Phils for several weeks during the offseason, but Blanco remained confident that the team would make the call, and they did.

Philadelphia and Blanco agreed upon a $3 million salary, doubling his pay from 2016.

Now that he is back with the Phillies, expect Blanco to be the team’s utility infielder. Which positions Blanco winds up seeing the most time at depends on how the team fills out the rest of their bench.

Heading into camp, some thought Jesumel Valentin could make the roster and take some of the load off of Blanco as the utility infielder. That way Blanco wouldn’t have to play shortstop, a position he doesn’t excel at. However, with first baseman Brock Stassi emerging in spring training and pushing for a spot on the roster, Blanco may be forced to be the backup second baseman, third baseman, and shortstop for the Phils.

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Even if Stassi makes the roster out of camp, Blanco may not be the only versatile infielder on the bench for long. No. 1 prospect J.P. Crawford looms over the major-league infield like a cloud, and he will force one of Freddy Galvis or Cesar Hernandez onto the bench when he arrives. That would alleviate the need for Blanco to be the backup shortstop.

Beyond 2017, Blanco’s future in Philadelphia is questionable. With Crawford likely to be in a starting role, the Phils will have at least one infielder, if not two, able to fill the utility role between Galvis, Hernandez, and Valentin. That doesn’t give Blanco much opportunity to be with the team after this season.

Next: Phillies Checklist for Success for the 2017 Season

But this is the 2017 season preview for Blanco and looking beyond that isn’t as relevant at this point in the season. For now, expect to see a lot of him as he fills in for several positions on the field.

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