Mackey's takeaways: Tony Blanco Jr.'s massive slam leads among 5 Spring Breakout notes
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BRADENTON, Fla. -- The definition of light tower power. In front of an actual light tower, no less.
It was a special moment for Tony Blanco Jr. during the Pirates’ 8-7 Spring Breakout game win on Friday against the Tigers at LECOM Park, the organization’s massive first baseman hitting a massive grand slam in the third inning.
Four-seamer on a 2-2 count. A little down and in. Blanco blasted it 411 feet over the left-field fence at 106.6 mph. Even more incredible, it carried a 39-degree launch angle.
In other words, an absolute moon shot.
"Unforgettable moment," Blanco said via interpreter Julio Sepulveda. "I just wanted to look for my pitch.
"It’s a privilege to participate in a game like this with so many prospects."
The powerful swing was nothing new for Blanco, who’s listed at 6-foot-7, 243 pounds. Or as Seth Hernandez put it: "One of the biggest humans I’ve faced in a while."
Blanco, signed as a non-drafted free agent on Jan. 15, 2022, is the son of a Major Leaguer, too. His father, Tony, appeared in 56 MLB games with the Nationals in 2005.
Tony Blanco Sr. died last April when a night club in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic collapsed. Speaking before the game, High-A Greensboro bench coach Phillip Wellman -- who managed Pittsburgh’s prospects Friday -- shared a conversation he had with the young Blanco about managing his dad.
Wellman also marveled at the 20-year-old’s prodigious power that would later show up in a big way.
“I'm glad I'm not coaching third when he's at the plate,” Wellman said. “He’s an imposing young man.”
The younger Blanco entered 2025 as the organization’s best power hitter, according to Baseball America. He proceeded to hit .259 with eight home runs and 23 RBIs in 30 games split between the FCL Pirates and Single-A Bradenton.
Blanco has battled injuries, but he's capable of doing a lot of damage when healthy:
- He hit a ball 122.9 mph in the Arizona Fall League, tying Oneil Cruz's record for the hardest-hit ball in the Statcast Era. Furthermore, despite just 44 at-bats in the AFL, he registered five of the top 50 exit velocities.
- Blanco hit another AFL homer that traveled 464 feet.
- In the Florida State League, Blanco needed just 28 games to notch the top six exit velocities and 11 of the top 25.
Blanco smoked a double in the AFL that went 120.4 mph. Only six players on the planet -- including Cruz -- have hit a baseball harder.
"It feels really good to be able to do that and have that [power] tool, which is rare," Blanco said. "Being able to do it right now, it’s amazing."
Griffin focused
Konnor Griffin has enjoyed 38 at-bats in Major League camp, the second-most on the Pirates behind Nick Yorke. He likely could’ve skipped this event if he wanted.
But from the sound of things, that was never a consideration for Griffin.
“It’s fun playing with the guys I got drafted with and new guys who got drafted last year,” Griffin said. “Just a chance for me to get to know the guys a little better and be in the locker room with them practicing for a day."
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The Griffin story is barreling toward a key inflection point, and it’s nothing that could’ve been resolved on Friday. The team flies north on Monday. There are home games Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
Which would seemingly mean that if Griffin was going to Triple-A Indianapolis, that move would have to be made soon.
To his credit, the mature Griffin isn’t ignoring the elephant in the room … but was also doing his best to focus on the Spring Breakout game.
“With camp coming down to the wire, it’s a thought in my head,” Griffin said. “But I’m trying to stay present and enjoy the game, enjoy being with the guys and have a good time.”
‘Our plan is working’
Friday’s game was a reason to celebrate for the Pirates, who have the top farm system in baseball, per Baseball America. That’s up from No. 16 in 2025 and No. 13 in 2024.
Baseball America credits the Pirates with having four Top 100 prospects, while MLB Pipeline includes Hunter Barco along with Griffin, Bubba Chandler, Hernandez and Edward Florentino.
“We have a clear and concise plan,” Wellman said. “I’ve worked for several organizations, and I think our plan is working.”
Wellman also warned against complacency.
“Being the No. 1 farm system is a great honor, but you know what that means? That means we got to keep working because now you've got a target on your back,” he said. “If you if you spend too much time celebrating that, you're going to get passed.”
While the Minor Leagues are obviously about development, Pittsburgh’s seven Minor League affiliates combined to go 396-319 (.554) last season, third-best among all organizations.
It was the system’s highest composite winning percentage since 2003 (.569).
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Snap it, Seth
The triple-digit velocity from Hernandez was obviously impressive. That included 11 pitches at 100 mph or greater, including 102.4 on the first pitch of the game that drew quite a reaction from Max Clark.
But equally as nasty was the curveball he dropped on poor Jack Penney.
“That was probably the best one I’ve thrown in a while,” Hernandez said. “I’m not gonna say it’s super nasty, but that’s usually the shape it is.”
Tough Termarr
Termarr Johnson might need an ice bath after this one. He collided with Clark on a play near first base in the second inning when it looked like Johnson jumped to try and avoid contact. (He did not.) Then in the bottom of the third, Johnson was hit by a pitch.
Jason Mackey: Jason.Mackey@pirates.com and @JMackey_PG on X.
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