Blankenhorn rejoins organization on minor-league deal

When the Nationals removed Travis Blankenhorn from their 40-man roster in early October, the 27-year-old outfielder had the option of accepting an outright assignment to Triple-A Rochester or becoming a free agent. He chose to become a free agent, perhaps believing a better opportunity would be available elsewhere.

Blankenhorn, though, eventually found his way back to the Nationals, recently signing a minor-league deal with the organization, which was willing to give him another shot.

The Nats got only a brief look at Blankenhorn last season. After putting up big numbers (23 homers, 75 RBIs, .877 OPS) in 108 games at Rochester, he was promoted to the majors Sept. 1 and immediately made his presence known, homering in his first game that night at Nationals Park.

That proved the high point of his season, though. Blankenhorn played in only 10 games, going 5-for-31 with no other extra-base hits or RBIs following the homer in his debut. And he wound up going on the 10-day injured list with plantar fasciitis in his foot, missing the final two weeks of the season.

Given the organization’s well-known crop of top outfield prospects, Blankenhorn didn’t seem to have much future with the Nationals, which explains in part why they took him off the 40-man roster. But they will still need outfield depth in the minors, and perhaps someone who could be used in the majors if the need arises before prospects like James Wood, Dylan Crews and Robert Hassell III are deemed ready.

Blankenhorn has 36 games of major-league experience, having enjoyed brief stints with the Twins and Mets. He has shown an ability to hit for power in the minors, racking up 104 homers and a .450 slugging percentage across 2,992 career minor-league plate appearances, 48 of those homers coming in 1,053 plate appearances at Triple-A.

As things currently stand, the Nationals don’t have a sure thing penciled into left field to begin the 2024 season. They are in the market for a veteran free agent, with club officials preferring a left-handed power hitter. But until that move is made, there are a host of potential candidates to hold the job in the short term.

Stone Garrett, if he returns fully healthy from a broken leg by Opening Day, would be the top current in-house option. Alex Call and Jacob Young are the other potential left fielders already on the 40-man roster, with utilityman Jake Alu also having shown he can play the position if needed.

Blankenhorn would be one of several players who come to big-league camp on minor-league deals with a chance. That list will also include the top prospects, though the Nats are not expected to put any of them on the Opening Day roster, preferring to give each a chance to have success at Triple-A before possibly promoting them sometime in the summer.