Andres BlancoAndres Blanco is the latest acquisition by Jim Henry to find someone to fill the production deficiency at the second base position. Watching Blanco play second base it is no doubt he has excellent defensive skills. Great hands. He can turn the double play with the best of them. But can he hit better than the others that have preceded him? Blanco originally signed with the Kansas City Royals in 2000 at the age of 16 out of Venezuela. He made it to the majors April 17, 2004 but didn’t play a lot. He was known as a great glove but didn’t hit much. At the end of the 2006 season he had surgery on his left shoulder and didn’t play for the Royals in 2007 but did some rehab in the minors. The Cubs picked him up in November 2007 and signed him to a minor league contract. He played AAA and then became a free agent. He ended up re-signing with the Cubs. He played all 2008 in the Cubs farm system. They brought him up May 27, 2009. He is being plagued by the same disease as others at that position—good field, not much hit. Right now his is sharing the position with the Cubs other utility infielders. The Cubs are trying to see if someone will take the lead and Blanco hopes he will be able to.
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