Jabari Blash

Jabari Jerell Blash (born July 4, 1989) is a former American professional baseball outfielder. He made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut in 2016 with the San Diego Padres. He also played in MLB for the Los Angeles Angels and for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).

Jabari Blash
Blash with the Eagles in 2019
Outfielder
Born: (1989-07-04) July 4, 1989
Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
Batted: Right Threw: Right
Professional debut
MLB: April 4, 2016, for the San Diego Padres
NPB: March 29, 2019, for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles
Last appearance
MLB: September 30, 2018, for the Los Angeles Angels
NPB: August 7, 2020, for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles
MLB statistics
Batting average.186
Home runs8
Runs batted in22
NPB statistics
Batting average.255
Home runs35
Runs batted in113
Teams

Career

Blash was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 29th round of the 2007 Major League Baseball draft out of Charlotte Amalie High School in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. He did not sign and attended Alcorn State University, but was unable to play baseball due to issues with his academic transcript. He transferred to Miami-Dade College, and had a .353 batting average and 10 home runs in 102 at-bats for the school's baseball team.[1] He was then drafted by the Texas Rangers in the ninth round of the 2009 Major League Baseball draft.[2] He again did not sign and returned to Miami-Dade.[3]

Seattle Mariners

The Seattle Mariners chose Blash in the eighth round of the 2010 Major League Baseball draft and he signed.[3][4] Blash made his professional debut for the Pulaski Mariners. In 2013, he hit 25 home runs with a .915 on-base plus slugging (OPS) while playing for the High Desert Mavericks and Jackson Generals. He started 2014 back with Jackson and was promoted to the Tacoma Rainiers in April.[5][6]

San Diego Padres

The Oakland Athletics selected Blash in the 2015 Rule 5 draft and then traded him to the San Diego Padres as the player to be named later from the December 2 trade in which the Athletics acquired Yonder Alonso.[7]

Blash made the Padres' Opening Day roster. He batted 3-for-25 (.120) with 13 strikeouts, and was designated for assignment on May 13.[8] He cleared waivers and the Mariners declined his return, allowing him to be outrighted into San Diego's minor league system. After playing for the El Paso Chihuahuas, the Padres promoted him back to the major leagues on July 30.[9] On May 9, 2017, Blash was optioned down to AAA to make room for Matt Szczur on the roster.

Los Angeles Angels

On December 12, 2017, the Padres traded Blash to the New York Yankees for Chase Headley and Bryan Mitchell.[10] The Yankees designated Blash for assignment on February 20, 2018, in order to make room for Brandon Drury, who was acquired earlier in the day in a three-team trade. The next day, the Yankees traded Blash to the Los Angeles Angels for a player to be named later or cash considerations.[11] In 24 games with the Angels, Blash hit only .103 with 1 RBI. On November 29, 2018, Blash was released by the Angels.[12]

Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles

On December 7, 2018, Blash signed a contract with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB)[13] for the 2019 season worth ¥120 million.[14]

On December 3, 2019, Blash signed a 1-year extension to remain with the Eagles.[15]

On December 2, 2020, he become a free agent.[16] He retired on January 13, 2021.

Personal life

Blash's younger brother, Jamori, a 23rd-round draft pick in 2017, is a first baseman in the Washington Nationals organization.[17]

References
  1. Lin, Dennis (March 7, 2016). "Blash a springtime fascination, maybe more: Rule 5 pickup blasted first home run Monday". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved March 8, 2016.
  2. "Cookies Required". stcroixsource.com. Retrieved January 26, 2015.
  3. "Mariners agree to terms with eighth-round selection OF Jabari Blash". Seattle Mariners. Retrieved October 14, 2014.
  4. "V.I.'s Jabari Blash signs with Mariners". Archived from the original on May 1, 2014. Retrieved October 14, 2014.
  5. "Virgin Island Daily News". Retrieved October 14, 2014.
  6. "Seattle Mariners MLB Baseball Front Page". scout.com. Retrieved January 26, 2015.
  7. Padres, San Diego. "Padres acquire OF Jabari Blash from Oakland Athletics". Retrieved July 31, 2016.
  8. "Padres DFA Rule 5 player Jabari Blash". Retrieved July 31, 2016.
  9. "Padres trade Kemp to Braves for Olivera". Retrieved July 31, 2016.
  10. Hoch, Bryan (January 20, 2016). "Yankees trade Chase Headley, Bryan Mitchell". MLB.com. Retrieved February 22, 2018.
  11. NorthJersey (May 16, 2017). "NY Yankees trade OF Jabari Blash to Los Angeles Angels". Northjersey.com. Retrieved February 22, 2018.
  12. "Angels Acquire Tommy La Stella, Release Jabari Blash". MLBTradeRumors. November 29, 2018. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
  13. "【ジャバリ・ブラッシュ選手】契約合意に関して". 東北楽天ゴールデンイーグルス 公式サイト (in Japanese). December 7, 2019. Retrieved December 22, 2019.
  14. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2018/12/07/baseball/japanese-baseball/taiwanese-slugger-wang-po-jung-accepts-three-year-deal-fighters/#.XBYGBWSIZ-H
  15. "外国人選手の契約更新に関して". 東北楽天ゴールデンイーグルス 公式サイト (in Japanese). December 3, 2019. Retrieved December 22, 2019.
  16. "2020年度 自由契約選手". NPB.jp 日本野球機構 (in Japanese). Retrieved January 9, 2021.
  17. Gardner, James (June 23, 2017). "Jamori Blash Heads to Rookie Training with Nationals". St. Thomas Source. Retrieved August 19, 2017.
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