Scouting Report

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Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 45 | Run: 50 | Arm: 50 | Field: 55 | Overall: 45

Caracas, Venezuela’s capital city, has produced more than 70 big leaguers, including former All-Stars Magglio Ordonez and Andres Galarraga, in addition to current infielders Gleyber Torres and Brayan Rocchio. Blanco calls the city home and has leapfrogged many of his peers due to a late growth spurt, going from a 5-foot-6 infielder in his younger days to 5-foot-11 with a much more put together physique. He earns rave reviews from scouts for his gritty playing style and ability to serve as quarterback of the defense, continually showing off his advanced baseball IQ.

A switch-hitter, Blanco displays top-notch contact skills as he’s able to utilize his quick hands to get the barrel of his bat to a variety of offerings. He’ll need to hone in on pitch selection -- and get more reps from the right side -- as he enters the pro ranks, especially so as he looks to continue tapping into his blossoming pop. While not presently a huge stolen-base threat, he’s aggressive on the basepaths during game action and is often apt to get his uniform dirty.

Competition for reps at shortstop are always precious in pro ball, especially so at the lower levels. But evaluators believe Blanco is well-suited to hold down the spot long-term due to his quick feet and ability to go to his backhand seamlessly. Having earned a reputation as one of the best players on the field despite his size when he was younger, he now has significant helium around his prospect profile.

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 45 | Run: 50 | Arm: 50 | Field: 55 | Overall: 45

Blanco didn’t attract much attention when he was just a 5-foot-6, switch-hitting shortstop hailing from Caracas, Venezuela’s capital city. But Rays scouts were nonetheless impressed every time they saw him even then, believing at times he was the best player on every field he took, even when he was physically outmatched by his peers. They offered him a $1 million bonus when others weren’t as interested, then saw him shoot up to 5-foot-11 and become a Top 50 prospect in the 2026 international class before they signed him.

Now with much more physicality than he possessed before his growth spurt, Blanco is viewed as a complete player with tremendous makeup. He has above-average bat speed and contact skills thanks to his quick hands, and he could develop above-average power from both sides of the plate. Pitch selection will be an issue, and he’ll need to gain more experience as a right-handed hitter as he enters professional baseball. He’s a solid runner and not afraid to be aggressive on the basepaths, but he wasn’t a huge stolen-base threat as an amateur.

Blanco has a strong arm and quick feet, so he should be able to stick at shortstop. He’ll have to compete for reps there with top international prospect Victor Valdez, among others, but he is highly regarded for the way he handles himself at a premium defensive position. If he continues to improve like he did before signing, he’ll become a prospect to watch no matter his size.

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	05/30/2026	SS Fabricio Blanco assigned to DSL Rays from DSL Tampa Bay.
	02/24/2026	SS Fabricio Blanco assigned to DSL Tampa Bay.
	01/15/2026	Tampa Bay Rays signed free agent SS Fabricio Blanco to a minor league contract.