Who is Alex Blandino? Knuckleball could propel comeback with former team, Cincinnati Reds
Alex Blandino's minor-league deal with the Cincinnati Reds in November didn't generate a ton of interest among Reds fans.
Blandino was a fan favorite, but he's 31, and he hasn't played in the Majors since 2021. He hit .226 in 279 plate appearances over parts of three seasons in Cincinnati, and suffered a torn ACL in July 2018 as the Pittsburgh Pirates' Max Moroff collided with Blandino while sliding into second base during the top of the 9th inning of an 11-1 game at Great American Ball Park.
Blandino proved over his three seasons with the Reds that he could play just about anywhere, appearing at all four infield and both corner outfield positions.
Blandino also made five big-league appearances as a pitcher for the Reds. And what likely will generate interest is Blandino's intention to return to the Reds as a pitcher, specifically a knuckleballer.
Fernando Rayo of Nicaragua's 8 Deportivo reported that Blandino is working on his knuckleball, and is expected to report to Double-A Chattanooga.
Five things to know about Blandino, who pitched in college:
Blandino was a first-round pick (29th overall) of the Reds in 2014.
Blandino starred as a third baseman at Stanford, but his gostanford.com profile stated that he was 4-1 with a 2.18 ERA in 45 innings pitched as a senior.
The Reds' other first-round pick that year, pitcher Nick Howard, didn't reach the Majors.
It was a disappointing draft class for Cincinnati, with the exception of fifth-round pick Tejay Antone.
As a pitcher, Blandino reportedly hit 90 miles per hour with his fastball, and threw a knuckleball in a 2018 game.
Blandino is believed to have had a knuckleball as part of his repertoire for several years.
Pitching Ninja tweeted video of an apparent knuckleball that he threw during his scoreless inning for the Reds in 2018. That was his first big-league pitching appearance, and his only one that season. Blandino struck out two of the four Cleveland batters he faced.
In addition, Cut4 tweeted that Blandino hit 90 miles per hour with his fastball during a 2021 appearance.
Blandino's first big-league homer was caught by ballhawk Zack Hample.
Hample tweeted in May 2018 that he got three home-run balls during Cincinnati's 7-6 loss to Milwaukee, including Blandino's first Major League home run.
He also tweeted a photo of himself with Blandino, and said Blandino gave him a signed bat in exchange for the home-run ball.
Blandino won a pregame stand-off against then-Pittsburgh pitcher Luis Oviedo in 2021.
Before a May game at PNC Park, Blandino and Oviedo held their hats over their hearts in front of their dugouts after the national anthem, as the Pirates took the field to warm up for the top of the first inning.
Home-plate umpire Chris Conroy motioned for both to leave the field, and yelled at them. Pirates manager Derek Shelton directed Oviedo to return to the dugout. Blandino tipped his cap toward his teammates, and was greeted with high-fives in the dugout.
Blandino was traded by the San Francisco Giants to the Seattle Mariners for Stuart Fairchild.
Fairchild was selected off waivers by the Reds less than one month after the Giants-Mariners trade.
Blandino played in the minors for the Giants and Mariners in 2022. Fairchild has hit .243 in 354 plate appearances for Cincinnati over the past two seasons.
Blandino also played for Nicaragua during the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
LOVE SPORTS? [ Subscribe now for unlimited access to Cincinnati.com ]
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Who is Alex Blandino? Knuckleball could drive Cincinnati Reds comeback
