Ivan Blanco

Ivan J. Blanco

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 1", Weight 190 lb.

• Born September 24, 1983 in Caracas Venezuela

BR register page

Biographical Information

Ivan Blanco has pitched professionally since 2001. Blanco debuted in the Venezuelan Summer League in 2001. In 2002, he went 5-0 with a save and a 1.09 ERA in the VSL. He had another big year in '03, going 7-0 with a 0.97 ERA in the VSL with 103 K in 74 1/3 IP. He was tied for second in the VSL in wins, was second in strikeouts (two behind Mauro Zarate) and led in ERA. He was named the Most Outstanding Pitcher in the league. Unfortunately, he failed in the postseason, dropping game one of the finals. He made his winter league debut with the Cardenales de Lara.

In 2004, Blanco came stateside and bombed, going 0-1 with a 11.05 ERA and 2.25 WHIP for the Everett AquaSox. In '05, the right-hander was 3-3 with a 6.93 ERA for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. During 2006, Ivan was with the Inland Empire 66ers (5-3, Sv, 3.66, .218 opponent average) except for a rehab stint with the AZL Mariners (0 R in 4 IP) while recovering from a right elbow injury. In the winter, he was 2-1 with a 5.04 ERA for Lara.

The Caracas native split 2007 between the High Desert Mavericks (1-1, 2 Sv, 10.72, 19 BB, 38 H in 22 2/3 IP) and AZL M's (0 R in 3 IP). In the 2008 Caribbean Series, he was 1-0 with a 2.08 ERA, getting the win over the Aguilas Cibaeñas.

Out of Organized Baseball, Blanco spent 2008 with Les Capitales de Québec (2-4, 2 Sv, 4.04) and the Winnipeg Goldeyes (7 R in 8 1/3 IP). He then was 3-1 with 2 saves and a 2.01 ERA for Lara in winter ball, allowing a .171 average. In the 2009 Caribbean Series, Blanco allowed one hit and two walks in 3 2/3 shutout innings for the victorious Tigres de Aragua. He was then a late addition to Venezuela's team for the 2009 World Baseball Classic even though he had not been on the provisional roster. He was one of three players named Blanco on the roster (the others being Gregor Blanco and Henry Blanco, and all three were on the field at the same time against Team USA on March 11.

Sources

• SABR databse
• MILB.com
• 2004 Baseball Almanac