2009 Scouting Video: RHP Tyler Blandford (5th rd., Seattle)
By John Klima
September 2, 2009
“Tyler Blanford is a physical kid with a power fastball and power breaking ball potential,” Mariners scouting director Tom McNamara told Baseball Beginnings.
Here’s a look at a guy who could be in Seattle within two years. This film was shot in Blanford’s first 2009 summer outing, which makes this a game-time bullpen session. In three innings, Blanford hit 96 in the first inning and pitched at 94. In the second inning, he pitched at 93. In his third inning, he pitched at 92. His slider worked at 83 with hard, late bite and his fastball has late action up in the zone. Blanford said he was throwing from a side arm slot in an experimental mode, so it will be interesting to track his process as a pro to see what slot he uses and what role he settles in it. One thing you can’t hide is the power. As the saying goes, the tools never lie.
Read Tyler Blandford Q&A
Read Tyler Blandford Scouting Report
Doug Mapson describes the draft as filling out a major league team five years from now. He should know. The self-made baseball man whose longtime influences, the late scouts and former players, Gene Handley and Spider Jorgensen, still guide his insights, is now in his 29th year in professional baseball.
