Scouting Report

Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run: 40 | Arm: 55 | Field: 45 | Overall: 40

The son of the former longtime pro of the same name who touched the big leagues with the Nationals in 2005, Blanco Jr. got $900,000 to sign with the Pirates at the start of the '22 international signing period. He barely got his feet wet that summer in the Dominican Summer League and returned there the following year. Getting in a full summer of reps was the biggest win, and he started to show off some of his considerable offensive tools in the process. He was having a strong United States debut in the Florida Coast League when a hamstring injury ended his season at the beginning of July.

At 6-foot-6, Blanco has begun to add strength to his huge frame, with positive results. He’s a right-handed hitter who is already registering elite-level exit velocities with as much raw power as anyone in the system. He makes very hard contact when he does connect, and that’s the biggest area of focus for him at the plate. He struck out in 37.6 percent of his plate appearances in 2023 and will have to hone his approach as he advances in order to take advantage of that carrying tool. There were signs of progress during Spring Training, not expanding the zone as frequently and drawing more walks.

Blanco was signed as an outfielder, and there is still a chance that he could land in right field with a strong arm that profiles well. He added first base to his résumé in 2023 and has shown solid agility, especially for his size. The teenager could see time in both spots as the Pirates try to keep him from being pigeonholed as a designated hitter. He’ll have to watch his conditioning as he matures, but his plus work ethic should help in that regard.

Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run: 40 | Arm: 55 | Field: 45 | Overall: 40

Tony Blanco Sr. touched the big leagues with the Washington Nationals in 2005 and had a long career in the Minors, Japan and the Dominican Republic. Now it’s his son’s turn to try and outperform his dad. One of the top prospects in the 2022 international class, the younger Blanco got $900,000 to sign with the Pirates when the period opened in January of that year. He played only briefly in the Dominican Summer League after signing and returned there in 2023 with better results.

Blanco has a huge ceiling, and that’s not just because he has an enormous 6-foot-6 frame. It’s taken him some time to grow into that frame and add strength, but the Pirates were starting to see some returns on the work he’s put in this summer. The right-handed hitter has the chance to really impact the ball, already registering some huge exit velocities and making hard contact which should point to plenty of future power. The key will be for him to make consistent enough contact and good swing decisions to get to that pop moving forward.

Signed as an outfielder, Blanco has been getting time at first base and while he’s not a runner, he’s shown decent agility on the dirt and could stick there, though the Pirates are hoping to get him back in the outfield where his arm strength could play well in the corner. Growing up around the game, his baseball IQ is outstanding, which should help him maximize that potential.

Video scouting report »

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Run: 50 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 55

Standing at almost 6-foot-6 and weighing 230 pounds, Blanco is one of the largest prospects on the market in this year’s class. He also has big potential.

The teen projects as a corner outfielder and a middle-of-the-order bat. He shows good bat speed and tons of raw power with 40-plus home run potential in his future. He exhibits advanced strike zone awareness and pitch recognition beyond his years.

On defense, he has solid-to-average arm strength that projects to be a plus tool. He moves well for a prospect his size and will likely start his professional career in right field with left field, first base and designated hitter as secondary options. The son of former Major League player Tony Blanco Sr., who played for the Nationals as well as in the Dominican Republic and Japan, the teenager grew up around the game.

Blanco Jr. trains with Ivan Noboa in the Dominican Republic. The Pirates are the favorite to sign him.

Awards

DSL Mid-Season All-Star

Year	Team
2023

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	07/26/2024	FCL Pirates activated OF Tony Blanco Jr. from the 7-day injured list.
	07/07/2024	FCL Pirates placed OF Tony Blanco Jr. on the 7-day injured list.
	06/17/2024	FCL Pirates activated OF Tony Blanco Jr. from the 7-day injured list.
	06/10/2024	FCL Pirates placed OF Tony Blanco Jr. on the 7-day injured list.
	04/26/2024	OF Tony Blanco Jr. assigned to FCL Pirates from DSL Pirates Gold.
	03/07/2024	Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects activated OF Tony Blanco Jr..
	07/29/2023	DSL NL All-Stars activated OF Tony Blanco Jr..
	08/11/2022	DSL Pirates Gold activated OF Tony Blanco Jr. from the 7-day injured list.
	08/11/2022	DSL PIT Gold activated OF Tony Blanco Jr. from the 7-day injured list.
	06/06/2022	DSL PIT Gold placed OF Tony Blanco Jr. on the 7-day injured list.
	06/05/2022	OF Tony Blanco Jr. assigned to DSL PIT Gold.
	01/15/2022	Pittsburgh Pirates signed free agent OF Tony Blanco Jr. to a minor league contract.