Kyle Blanks facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kyle Blanks
Blanks with the San Diego Padres
Outfielder / First baseman
Born: (1986-09-11) September 11, 1986 (age 38) Souderton, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Batted: Right Threw: Right
debut
June 19, 2009, for the San Diego Padres
Last appearance
June 16, 2015, for the Texas Rangers
MLB statistics
Batting average	.241
Home runs	33
Runs batted in	111
Teams
San Diego Padres (2009–2014) Oakland Athletics (2014) Texas Rangers (2015)

Kyle Nathaniel Blanks was born on September 11, 1986. He is an American former professional baseball player. He played as an outfielder and first baseman in Major League Baseball (MLB). Kyle played for teams like the San Diego Padres, Oakland Athletics, and Texas Rangers. He was known for wearing the unusual uniform number 88 during his time in MLB. Kyle is quite tall, standing at 6 feet 6 inches (about 198 cm) and weighed around 285 pounds (about 129 kg). He batted and threw with his right hand.

Early Life and Baseball Beginnings

Kyle Blanks was born in Souderton, Pennsylvania. He grew up in Moriarty, New Mexico. There, he was a star player for the Moriarty High Pintos baseball team. After high school, Blanks attended Yavapai College.

Professional Baseball Career

Playing for the San Diego Padres

Blanks hitting his 6th career home run

The San Diego Padres chose Kyle Blanks in the 42nd round of the 2004 Major League Baseball Draft. In 2008, he was named the Padres' Minor League Player of the Year. Even though he was a great first baseman, he started playing in the outfield in April 2009.

He was called up to the major leagues for the first time on June 19, 2009. This happened after he played only 66 games in Triple-A. He played left field for the Padres, even though he had only played 15 outfield games before. In his first MLB season, he hit 10 home runs in 148 times at bat. He was the Padres' top young player. He finished that season with a .287 batting average. His season ended early on August 28 due to a foot injury.

Kyle started the 2010 season as a key hitter for the Padres. However, his season ended in May because of an elbow injury that needed surgery. He finished that year batting only .157 with three home runs.

Blanks started the 2011 season on the injured list. He played 78 games in Double-A and Triple-A, hitting well with 15 home runs. He was called back up to San Diego on July 22. He finished the season batting .229 with seven home runs.

In 2012, Kyle had another injury. He needed surgery in April for a tear in his non-throwing shoulder. This meant he missed the entire season.

Blanks played well during 2013 spring training. He was called up to the Padres on April 14. He stayed with the team even after another player returned from suspension. Kyle also played many games at first base in June when the regular first baseman was injured. Blanks himself went on the injured list on July 12 with a heel problem. He returned on August 31. For the year, Blanks played a career-high 88 games and hit 8 home runs.

In 2014, Blanks started the season in the minor leagues. He was called up to the Padres on May 5. He played only 5 games for the Padres that year.

Moving to the Oakland Athletics

On May 15, 2014, the Padres traded Kyle Blanks to the Oakland Athletics. He was with the Athletics for a short time.

Playing for the Texas Rangers

On December 15, 2014, the Texas Rangers signed Blanks to a minor league contract. He appeared in 18 games for the Rangers in 2015. He hit well, with a .313 batting average in 71 times at bat.

Later Career Teams

Blanks signed with the San Francisco Giants in November 2015. He missed some time in 2016 due to injury. The Giants signed him again for the 2017 season but released him in May 2017.

On June 13, 2017, Blanks signed with the Acereros de Monclova in the Mexican League. He was released just nine days later.

Awards and Honors

Kyle Blanks received several awards and honors during his baseball career: