Joe Blanton
Bourne 2001
Pitcher
Kentucky
When it comes to strikeouts in the Cape League, I think it’s fair to say that — these days — 60 is a pretty good benchmark. You get to 60, and you’re doing a lot of things right.
Joe Blanton is one of the few who surpassed that mark.
And he surpassed it by a lot.
Playing for Bourne in 2001, the 6’4 righty totaled a league-best 77 strikeouts. In looking back, that’s tied for the third-highest total of the decade. And Blanton is one of just six players in the decade to get past 70.
Blanton had his success in part because he was a workhorse. He led the league in innings pitched with 68. For comparison’s sake, the leader in innings pitched in 2009 was Chris Sale with 55 innings.
But Blanton didn’t get 77 simply be being out there a lot. Flashing a strong repertoire, he was one of the league’s most overpowering pitchers. He ended up going 5-2 with a 2.25 ERA. His K/9 ratio sat at 10.19.
Blanton’s big summer helped him become one of the top prospects for the 2002 draft.
After the Cape
Blanton was picked by Oakland with the 24th overall pick in the 2002 draft. He reached the majors after just two minor-league seasons and he’s been a middle-of-the-rotation starter ever since. He pitched for the Phillies this year and posted a career-high in strikeouts.
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