2014 Supplemental First Round Pick: Alex Blandino

[RichRed]

You know, I'm guessing Blandino would seem more exciting if his last name was Anything-else-ino. The "bland" part of his name really burnishes itself into the human brain.

Yeah, I was hoping they'd draft Sparklino or Dazzlino myself.

[WrongVerb]

Yeah, I was hoping they'd draft Sparklino or Dazzlino myself.

Well, they DID take Sparks in the 2nd round.

[malcontent]

You know, I'm guessing Blandino would seem more exciting if his last name was Anything-else-ino. The "bland" part of his name really burnishes itself into the human brain.

You mean like Dan Uggla?

I was nervous about the pick until I read the money quote from Buckley: "He fits right into [our club] as a baseball player and a high-character guy."

Slot him next to Cozart and we should have the All-Character middle infield.

[Vander]

You know, I'm guessing Blandino would seem more exciting if his last name was Anything-else-ino. The "bland" part of his name really burnishes itself into the human brain.

Or just add an upside down "u" to the first "n" and reverse the "d"... Blambino would be awesome.

[thorn]

For what it's worth, Stanford got a new hitting coach this past year.

[nmculbreth]

From today's Keith Law chat:

Brett (Ohio) - Is Blandino more than a utility guy? Seems to have mediocre tools across the board. Overall thoughts on what the Reds did yesterday?
Klaw (2:06 PM) - There is nothing mediocre about his bat. The guy can hit.

Dave (Burlington, MA) - Any chance Blandino sticks at SS?
Klaw (1:13 PM) - He isn't a shortstop now, so, no.

[corkedbat]

Yeah, I was hoping they'd draft Sparklino or Dazzlino myself.

Or Fabulino (but its a bit early for a reliever).

[Tom Servo]

That's a pretty poor list of players once you get past Quentin and Lowrie. I'd say the article reinforces the criticism rather than refutes it. Texas is another powerhouse program that really struggles to produce position players.

I'd Castro and Mayberry are legit MLB hitters as well.

[Rojo]

The "bland" part of his name really burnishes itself into the human brain.

It's like a really dull magician. "Watch me pull an IRS Schedule C form out of my hat".

[Rojo]

So I'm guessing the Blandino is the controversy pick for this round.

I have visions of Tim Tuefel but what do I know.

[RedlegJake]

IIRC, someone here was adamant that we trade Votto (and I think Bailey) for the Indians for Garko. A RH power bat to hit between Griffey and Dunn. Obviously before Bailey and Votto became Bailey and Votto.

Yep. One of my dumber suggested trades but not the only one. I also wanted LA's Scott Van Slyke who became a pumpkin and Adam Eaton - better but not as good as I thought.

[thatcoolguy_22]

So I'm guessing the Blandino is the controversy pick for this round.

I have visions of Tim Tuefel but what do I know.

I would guess Nick Howard would be the controversial pick of the 1st round. It seems to be split 75/25 on whether he will be effective as a starter. Picking a reliever that doesn't have Chapman's profile would be highly controversial IMO. I trust in Buckley and am not concerned in the slightest. He has been killing the first few rounds since signing on.

[Rojo]

I trust in Buckley and am not concerned in the slightest. He has been killing the first few rounds since signing on.

But I think most people are thinking this and giving him the benefit of the doubt on Howard.

[Chuckie]

This pick screams "Brandon Phillips' eventual replacement." Well, maybe doesn't scream it, but does suggest it.

And that's fine. BP only has three years left on his contract after this one. It's time the organization starts thinking about who his replacement will be. No way Blandino stays at SS. He doesn't even play SS for his college team. He might play SS for Dayton, but he won't by the time he gets to MLB. He'll be a second baseman from everything I'm reading. And I like that. I would have liked to have seen a legit SS, but I don't mind this pick at all.

The only thing that worries me is -- as others have mentioned -- Buckley has a track record of whiffing on position players in the supplemental first round/second round range. Jeff Gelalich, Ryan LaMarre, Devin Lohman, Gabriel Rosa, etc.

[JaxRed]

ESPN2 just switched to Stanford game.