Tony Blasucci

Anthony Victor Blasucci

• Bats Left, Throws Left
• Height 6' 3", Weight 206 lb.
• School Broward College, Florida State University
• High School Miramar High School
• Born April 28, 1962
• Died May 28, 2014 in Fort Myers, FL USA

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

Pitcher Tony Blasucci was drafted three times before embarking on an eight-year minor league career. He spent parts of three seasons at Triple A.

He was originally drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 16th round of the 1982 January Draft-Regular Phase, but did not sign. The Toronto Blue Jays then took him in the 6th round of the 1982 June Draft-Secondary Phase, a few picks after infielder Robby Thompson, though he again did not sign. He did ink a contract after the Pittsburgh Pirates took him in the 1st round, 4th overall, in the 1983 June Draft-Secondary Phase, two picks after Robby Thompson -- who had not signed previously -- and ahead of pitcher Rob Dibble.

He began his career with a 1-7 record for the Watertown Pirates in 1983 (tying for 4th in the New York-Penn League in losses despite a 3.84 ERA), then was 4-9 in 1984, 0-0 in 1985 and 1-3 in 1986. Between those campaigns, he was 6-19 with a 4.97 ERA; in 192 innings, he had 128 walks, though he allowed just 177 hits and had 167 strikeouts.

Blasucci, a starter those first few campaigns, was let go by the Pirates and signed with the Chicago White Sox, who transitioned him to the bullpen. In his first year in the Chicago system, he was 5-2 with a 2.39 ERA in 45 games, allowing 45 hits in 71 2/3 innings while striking out 80 batters. In 1988, he reached Triple A for the first time, but spent most of the year at Double A. In 24 games, he had a 0.74 ERA (including a 0.00 mark in two AAA games), striking out 27 in 24 1/3 innings while allowing just 11 hits. Control was still an issue, however. He had 18 walks in 1988 and 33 the year before, giving him 51 in less than 100 innings between the two seasons. In 1989, he was 5-1 with a 2.94 ERA in 39 games. He had 59 strikeouts, 30 walks and 31 hits allowed in 52 innings. He spent most of the year at Triple A.

Joining the Seattle Mariners system for 1990, Blasucci was 3-2 with a 4.15 mark in 43 games between Double and Triple A. Again he averaged less than a hit allowed and more than one strikeout per inning, while walking 4.2 batters per nine frames. 1989 was his final season.

Overall, he was 20-26 with a 3.87 ERA in 194 games (42 starts). In 405 innings, he allowed 315 hits and 239 walks, while striking out 400 batters.

He died from injuries suffered in a boating accident.