Pittsburgh Pirates: Examining Best Prospects Under Age 18

(Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
(Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
Pittsburgh Pirates
(Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /

Outfielder Tony Blanco Jr.

The Pittsburgh Pirates signed the hulking Tony Blanco Jr. along with De Los Santos during this past international signing deadline. Blanco Jr. has prodigious power potential. Listed at 6’5, 230 LBS per FanGraphs, Blanco Jr. already stands at the same height and weight as New York Yankees all-star DH/LF and former MVP Giancarlo Stanton. While Stanton is 32-years-old, Blanco Jr. is only 16.

Blanco Jr. might already be the Hulk, but he’s shown more than your typical considerable power, lots of swing-and-miss prospect. MLB Pipeline praised Blanco for his ability to recognize pitches, and he also has displayed extreme strike zone awareness. For a teenager, he’s already shown well-above-average plate discipline.

The issue is that his already massive frame might lead to problems down the line. He’ll start as a corner outfielder but might need to move to first base long term. He has a strong arm that could play in the outfield long term, but range could be a factor into his long-term home.