When thinking about candidates to be the Reds’ shortstop this season, don’t forget about Alex Blandino. Manager David Bell sure hasn’t, even though Blandino’s name is rarely the first one mentioned.
“Blandy has been really impressive with how he’s handled everything he’s been asked to do. A lot of times, in fairness, he’s been left out of the conversation at times for whatever reason -- it wasn’t intentional -- and I’m excited to see him play.”
“Just like his personality, he’s just solid,” Bell said of Blandino. “He’s a solid defender. He makes the plays. I think the key for him to be to just show his range and mobility, and I’m confident that he will do that.”
Blandino, 28, was a shortstop for Stanford University when selected by the Reds in the first round of the 2014 MLB Draft. But the organization profiled him more at second base or third base, and that was reflected in how he was used as he moved up the system.
By the time he was called up to the big leagues for the first time in 2018, Blandino was a utility player.
“I pride myself on my versatility, learning a few other positions in my time in the Minors and in the big leagues, I've even played first a little bit,” Blandino said. “It's exciting to be in the mix at short. I think I can definitely get some innings there. Yeah, I'm just looking to prove something in spring and have a good run at it.”