Name: Wilmer Blanco
Position: RHP
Born: February 21, 2004
Country: Venezuela
Bats/Throws: R/R
Height/Weight: 6’3″ 170lbs
How Acquired: International Free Agent (2021 Class)
Signed: December 14, 2021
Bonus:
Options Remaining: 3
Rule 5 Eligible: 2026
MiLB Free Agency: 2028
Stats
Pitcher Tracking
*Pitch tracking data sourced from Statcast, broadcasts, and individual reports
| Pitch Type | Year | Velocity Low | Velocity High | Velocity Peak | Games Tracked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FA | 2023 | 90 | 94 | 94 | 3 |
| FA | 2022 | 89 | 93 | 93 | 3 |
| CH | 2023 | 84 | 87 | 87 | 2 |
| CB | 2023 | 73 | 78 | 78 | 3 |
| CB | 2022 | 72 | 0 | 74 | 3 |
Prospect Rankings
Role: #4 Starting Pitcher
Risk: Extreme – Blanco was good in the DSL, but was not overwhelmingly dominant or showed stuff that would portend future dominance.
Summary: Blanco was a late signing in the 2021 signing period and made his debut in 2022 as a starter and reliever, and struggled with his control. In 2023, he was a starter (he had a couple of late appearances where they backed off his innings) from the start of the season. He was able to pitch deep into games as the year progressed, sort of an outlier for an arm at his level. Blanco’s primary pitch is a fastball at 90-94 that visually looks to have good carry, and he already has a feel for elevating it for misses. He then pitches off of that with a vertically oriented mid 70s curveball that fooled the Dominican Complex level hitters. He has a mid 80s changeup that shows some run to it, but he will need to work on it to stay in a rotation. Blanco still has a bit of room to add a bit more velocity, and he repeats his high three quarters delivery well and shows good command for his age. As an added bonus, Blanco pitched a gem for the DSL Phillies White in the elimination game against the Angels and came out of the bullpen 4 days later in the elimination game vs the Pirates, where he saved them late but ultimately gave up the walk off home run
2024 Outlook: Blanco is projected to come stateside for Extended Spring Training and Florida Complex League. He is on the older side so the Phillies could push him to the Threshers at some point.
Role: #4 Starting Pitcher
Risk: Extreme – Blanco was good in the DSL, but was not overwhelmingly dominant or showed stuff that would portend future dominance.
Summary: Blanco was a late signing in the 2021 signing period and made his debut in 2022 as a starter and reliever, and struggled with his control. In 2023, he was a starter (he had a couple of late appearances where they backed off his innings) from the start of the season. He was able to pitch deep into games as the year progressed, sort of an outlier for an arm at his level. Blanco’s primary pitch is a fastball at 90-94 that visually looks to have good carry, and he already has a feel for elevating it for misses. He then pitches off of that with a vertically oriented mid 70s curveball that fooled the Dominican Complex level hitters. He has a mid 80s changeup that shows some run to it, but he will need to work on it to stay in a rotation. Blanco still has a bit of room to add a bit more velocity, and he repeats his high three quarters delivery well and shows good command for his age. As an added bonus, Blanco pitched a gem for the DSL Phillies White in the elimination game against the Angels and came out of the bullpen 4 days later in the elimination game vs the Pirates, where he saved them late but ultimately gave up the walk off home run
2024 Outlook: Blanco is projected to come stateside for Extended Spring Training and Florida Complex League. He is on the older side so the Phillies could push him to the Threshers at some point.