Gregor Blanco

The D-backs used Blanco as a backup at all three outfield spots last season, with most of his opportunities getting split between left field and center field when Yasmany Tomas and A.J. Pollock were on the shelf. As he was throughout his time in San Francisco, Blanco was a solid, albeit unspectacular bench player, drawing walks at a nice clip (12.1 percent) and turning his useful OBP (.337) into double-digit steals (15) for the fifth time in the last six seasons. Blanco became a free agent after the World Series, and any team willing to give him a look for 2018 will likely keep him in a part-time role, limiting his exposure to left-handed pitching, and starting him once or twice per week when injuries create pockets of playing time. Now 34 years old, Blanco will have to play well during spring training in order to secure an Opening Day roster spot.

Blanco had his worst season as a Giant in 2016. He batted just .224 and only got on base at a .309 clip. While he was never considered a power threat, he saw his isolated power rating dip below .100 after finishing above that mark in 2014 and 2015. There was some bad luck involved when you take a look at his career-low .279 BABIP, plus his strikeout (18.6%) and walk (10.6%) rates were right around his career averages, so it may not be the beginning of the end for 32-year-old. Blanco's fantasy value as a fourth outfielder was his ability to provide a little bit of power and speed when filling in for one of the Giants' starters. Now a member of the Diamondbacks organization, Blanco will be given a chance to compete for a similar reserve outfielder role, although the multitude of younger alternatives could push the 33-year-old into an organizational depth role.

Blanco began the year as the Giants fourth outfielder, but he spent long stretches of the season in an everyday role due to the veteran Opening Day outfield of Nori Aoki, Angel Pagan and Hunter Pence only playing 16 games together over the course of the season. He strung together a career-high slash line of .291/.368/.413 to go along with five homers and 13 stolen bases over 372 plate appearances. Mainly known for his speed, Blanco actually has seen his Isolated Power (ISO) grow over the past three seasons. The Giants declined options on both Aoki and Marlon Byrd, but they signed Denard Span, so Blanco will likely serve a similar fourth outfielder role again in 2016.

Injuries in the Giants' outfield freed up plenty of playing time for Blanco again in 2014, as he surpassed 140 games and 400 plate appearances for the third straight year. Throughout that period, Blanco has been a stable hitter, showing a gradually declining strikeout rate and the ability to provide double-digit stolen bases. Last season, he posted a career-high high ISO (.115), but there's little reason to believe he'll become more of an asset in the power department. For his career, the left-handed hitting Blanco has been more effective against righties (.698 OPS) than lefties (.659), but a .363 BABIP against southpaws fueled a reverse platoon split last season. If the Giants continue to avoid signing a long-term solution in left field, Blanco might be able to carve out another 400 plate appearances in 2015, while he'll also add value as the team's fourth outfielder as a capable defender in center field behind starter Angel Pagan.

Blanco was the left-handed side of the lightest-hitting left field platoon in baseball last season. Known for his speed and defensive ability, he wasn't impressive at the plate (.265/.341/.350) in 511 plate appearances. He did swipe 14 bases in 2013, but it is important to note that he also was caught stealing on nine occasions. His career-low 60.8 percent success rate on the basepaths could be an indication that the soon-to-be 30-year-old is starting to lose a step. Heading into 2014, he's slated to serve the same platoon role that he did a season before, especially after the Giants brought in the right-handed hitting Michael Morse via free agency, which could relegate Blanco into a fourth outfielder role.

Blanco broke camp in 2012 as the Giants' fourth outfielder, but eventually earned a starting spot in the lineup. An above average outfielder, Blanco had a fWAR of 2.4 because of defense (especially in the corner spots) while also stealing 26 bases. He has little power (.099 ISO in 2012) and strikes out too often (23.2 percent), but he has an above average walk rate (11.3 percent). Blanco's 91 wRC+ indicates he is best served as a fourth outfielder, but he is most likely to be the Opening Day starter in left field despite the return of Andres Torres.

Blanco's 2010 campaign was boosted by two months of strong production. In 24 May games, Blanco hit .333/.436/.333, and in 25 August contests he swiped nine bases. Outside of August, Blanco nabbed just one base, and he didn't hit .300 in any month besides May. He doesn't provide much in the way of counting stats, though he could be in line for a career high in at-bats should he win a starting job in the Royals' outfield out of spring training. He started 43 games in the outfield in the season's final two months.

Blanco was in the mix last season to win playing time, but didn't hit in a bench role and then struggled at Triple-A Gwinnett, hitting just .229. Blanco has a strong eye at the plate and draws walks, but lacks the needed power to stay in the majors. He has some speed for fantasy purposes if he gets another shot at the majors, but his chance to win a regular role may have passed.

Blanco is in the mix to at least platoon in left field and could win an everyday role after showing he can get on base at a good rate during his rookie season. Blanco draws walks at a strong rate, but doesn't have much power. He does steal the occasional base, which boosts his value for fantasy purposes. Since he can also play center field, he may stick as a reserve outfielder if he loses out on a bigger role.

Blanco has shown he can get on base enough to get a chance at the majors, but he's fallen behind Brandon Jones and Jordan Schafer in the pecking order to win a job in the Atlanta outfield and likely doesn't have enough power to win an everyday role. Still, his strong eye at the plate and speed on the basepaths could make him a nice sleeper in deeper leagues if he gets called up or wins a reserve role next spring.

Blanco lacks the power to win an everyday job in the majors, but his strong eye at the plate and speed on the basepaths could make him a nice sleeper in deeper leagues as he's just 23. He'll try to win a backup role with the Braves in spring training, but likely needs a full season at Triple-A.

Blanco has exceptional speed and solid plate discipline, along with some extra base power. A strong year at Double-A could leapfrog him into Atlanta's plans for 2005.

Blanco has speed and patience to burn, and could evolve into a special top-of-the-order candidate for the Braves if he learns to make more consistent contact at the plate.