Phillies 2017 season grades: Utility man Andres Blanco
Andres Blanco has been one of the best utility men in the major-leagues in recent years. However he struggled for the Phillies this year.
Being the utility man is often the most underappreciated, most difficult jobs on a Major League team. The player may go a week without an at-bat or appearance in the field, but expected to do the job when called upon. One of the best utility men in recent Phillies history has been Andres Blanco, although he struggled at the plate much of the season.
Blanco had a solid month of April, going 3-for-11 with a home run and two walks, for a 1.021 OPS. Appearing in 20 games in May, Blanco struggled at the plate, going 6-for-36 without an extra base hit.
Blanco’s production fell even more in June, plummeting to a .143 batting average and one extra base hit in 28 at-bats. When things couldn’t possibly get worse for Blanco, they still did, as he went 3-for-30 in July, seeing his average drop to .152 with a paltry .210 slugging percentage.
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The high point of Blanco’s season came in a doubleheader against the Marlins on August 22, where he went 2-for-4 with two home runs and four runs batted in. A three-hit game on September 4th against the Mets raised Blanco’s average to .198, but did not appear in a game after September 12.
Blanco’s season ended with a .192 average and .292 slugging percentage in 130 at-bats. On a positive note, Blanco was solid in the field.
He posted a .977 fielding percentage, playing all infield positions with the exception of catcher.
One of the top utility men in the league in 2015 and 2016, Blanco hit a combined .274 with 37 doubles, four triples and 11 home runs in 423 at-bats. However, I cannot grade on what was done in the past. Blanco’s versatility and leadership give him a passing grade, but his play on the field doesn’t justify anything more, so I give Blanco a D+ for the season.
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Questions remain whether or not the veteran will return to the Phillies for a fifth season in 2018.