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From back of the bench to national player of the week

justbaseballjustbaseball10,000+ posts
Over the years, we see a lot of threads on this site and others about freshman HS and college sons who just aren't getting their fair shake. "Back of the bench without a look" or "coach favors all of the upperclassmen" are often the laments.

Old timers come in and tell the others, "hang in there" and "keep your son positive" and "be ready for your break!"

Well, here is exhibit-A of how it really can be done. Meet Stanford freshman, Alex Blandino...got about 3 ABs in the first 5 weeks of the season on a veteran and nationally ranked Stanford team. He was behind a nearly All American infield...with no apparent opening or crack in the door to slip through.

Alex Blandino named National Player of the Week

Many of us who watched him play in HS were even awfully confused as to why he wasn't getting any time or chances. I cannot imagine how frustrated his parents might have been. In HS, Alex had all of the credentials...all state, all league, player of the year for his area, drafted by the A's. Alex was simply the best HS hitter I have ever seen.

Now he is proving that he can do it. To my knowledge he didn't whine or fuss...he just kept his head down and waited. I was at a game back in late March...which happened to be his last day on the bench...and he was the 'best dang teammate I saw out there.' Popping out of the dugout to 'high-5' teammates coming off the field and his head appeared to be completely 'in the game.' I noticed because I've known him for a few years and I was wondering how he was handling his situation...and I was impressed by his positive body language.

The next day, he got his chance going 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI and he's been on a tear ever since. For a while as the DH, but now as the starting 3B. Just yesterday, after hitting 3 HRs in the first 2 games against ASU he was moved from 8th in the lineup to 4th. In half the playing time, he now leads Stanford in HRs with 6, 1st in SLG% at .717 and is 2nd on the team in AVG at .350.

My point is...the advice often given here is solid and while I doubt he reads this site for any advice, Mr. Blandino believed in himself, took a positive approach and HE WAS READY! This article should be revisited every time one of us are feeling down about our son's predicament...obstacles can and will be overcome with the right mindset! Big Grin
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jemazjemaz1,000+ posts
I was at those games against Arizona State and I can say with as much confidence as can exist after three games, Blandino is Stanford's best player. He was amazing at the plate (and against three probable first-round draft picks) and in the field. Marquess must have had a reason to keep him on the bench, but it was one I sure do not understand. Blandino will be playing baseball for a very long time.
justbaseballjustbaseball10,000+ posts
Wish I woulda known jemaz...woulda been fun to meet you. Probably a few feet away...I sit just above the visitor's on deck circle. Your son is a very good player himself! Wink

But let me tell you a little more about Alex and some of the others who didn't quite figure it out in time...yet more reasons to 'keep the faith' if you find yourself (or son) in this situation.

* Did not make his area code team...eventually, another AC team picked him up.
* Was fairly widely recruited, but not at the level of his output in HS and now in college
* Wasn't drafted until the 30-something round. Yes, Stanford was part of that, but a UCLA commit teammate from HS was drafted in the 1st round and he's already hitting .370 in full season A ball
* Not as nationally recognized as a fellow freshman teammate recruit...who has barely seen the field in a similar position (another hidden explosion waiting to happen?)

Alex doesn't 'profile' in big way. Size is a little small (frame) for a position player and he's not blazing fast. But man, he has a feel for the game and he can freakin' hit the dam* ball! Big Grin
Last edited by justbaseball
infielddadinfielddad10,000+ posts
jemaz,
I would agree completely that Blandino was the best player on the field for all 3 games.
The diving play behind 3B on Sunday, getting up and showing a gun across the diamond was almost as good as his offensive weekend...almost.
We can be pretty sure Blandino didn't do that by accident. I will bet that while he was on the bench, he was taking extra swings and infield before and after nearly every practice.
There was a terrific player on the field for ASU, also, #7. Great diving catch in left field, seems to have injured his wrist or shoulder, comes in and seems to ignore the pain, leads off with a 2B, and follows it up the next AB with a 3B that gets ASU back in the game. Your son is a terrific player!
College baseball is awfully fun to watch and the games both Saturday and Sunday were terrific. So was Friday...for Stanford fans.
jemazjemaz1,000+ posts
justbaseball:

My wife and I were in that vicinity, probably a few rows behind you in the upper section of seats. Despite the disappointing results on the field (for ASU), we had a terrific weekend. We had never been to Palo Alto and the surrounding area and it was all we had expected and more. And it is always great fun to watch the games regardless of the results.

I was surprised at the immense amount of foul territory at the Sunken Diamond, but clearly that is part of what makes the entire setting unique and another part of what I like so much about college baseball -- all of the neat ballparks with characteristics of their own. We also took a look around Berkley after landing in Oakland early Friday. That was fun, too.

Blandino was amazing, and just as infield dad mentions, his diving play at third on Sunday was nothing short of spectacular. I still am not sure how he made the play. Stanford is the best team I have seen this year, and I am surprised at some of the early-season struggles. Probably, a lot of those occurred with Blandino on the bench, particularly at Arizona.

A.J. Vanegas, the sophomore pitcher, also was very, very impressive.

infield dad:

Thanks for the nice words about James. He had his wrist checked out yesterday and it is sore, for sure. The ASU guys were very disappointed in the weekend's outcome. They need to bounce back this weekend at Washington State, which just won its series against Oregon. As we all know, it is never easy (which is part of the point here about Blandino), which is part of what makes it so much fun.
justbaseballjustbaseball10,000+ posts
Yep, lots of foul territory there. Interestingly, I have seen it play in the offensive teams favor a number of times. I've seen runners score from 2nd on wild pitches...and I've seen runners tag and score from 3rd on foul pops to the 1B-man.

Vanegas...another story. Lost his Sunday starter role in 1st weekend (2nd inning?) to the freshman LHP you saw start this past Sunday. Struggled a little to get back into games, but has come on nicely. Recently, Vanegas has been starting again on Sundays and doing quite well...and was scheduled for the Sunday start this past weekend but was thrust into the reliever's role on Saturday. But I agree with you wholeheartedly...he is really talented.

College baseball!

In any case, really hope people get a chance to read this article/thread again next season when 'freshman-parent-panic' sets in with a new set of parents. As I told a good friend last night, sometimes my own kids are more mature than me! Roll Eyes
infielddadinfielddad10,000+ posts
Thought I might share a "somewhat" personal story about Alex Blandino.
When he was a freshman in HS, I saw him play. He was the starting shortstop on a very well respected HS program which competes in the toughest league in Northern CA(where he competed against justbaseball's son who was a 2 time pitcher of the year in that league.)
I watched the game because the HS where our son assisted was playing them.
After the game, I talked with our son. He loved Blandino..raved about him. To be honest, I saw him as a freshman who seemed to be very over matched in his AB's but who had a very nice glove.
For the better part of a week, I debated with our son about Alex, and he never wavered in projecting/predicting Blandino would end up a terrific player, saying "I wish I could have been that good, with that type of future." .
I guess that might be why one of us is a "Dad" and one is trying his hand in college coaching and recruiting. Wink
Last edited by infielddad

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