Tuesday, May 20, 2014

Player Profile: Nick Blackburn

I have four cards of Nick Blackburn. This one is from 2012 Topps.

Playing career: Nick Blackburn has had the typical career of a good-control, pitch-to-contact hitter – a lot of hits allowed, not a lot of strikeouts or walks. These kind of pitchers usually have some initial success that is not sustainable once the league figures them out. In 2008 and 2009 he put up decent (and almost identical) numbers – 11-11, 4.03 and 1-11, 4.05. In 2010-2012 he pitched much worse (21-30, 4.63) and has not pitched since due to injuries.

My memories: I remember him vaguely with the Twins (I see he pitched against the Yankees in the 2009 ALDS) but nothing specific.

Where he is now: Currently rehabbing a knee injury but hopes to sign with a team later in 2014.

Google Autocomplete results: He is fourth when you type Nick Bl, between Nick Bloom, an economics professor at Stanford, and Nick Blinko, a British musician. Another prominent Nick Blackburn pitches for the University of Illinois.

Coming up next: The next profile will be Travis Blackley.

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