Alex Blandón (born January 29, 1994) is an Nicaraguan‑American professional baseball infielder. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Chicago Cubs and the Milwaukee Brewers.
Early life and education
Blandón was born in Miami, Florida, to Nicaraguan parents. He attended Christopher Columbus High School in Miami, where he excelled in baseball as a shortstop. After graduating, he played college baseball for the University of Central Florida (UCF) Knights, earning Atlantic Sun Conference Freshman of the Year honors in 2013.
Professional career
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs selected Blandón in the seventh round (216th overall) of the 2015 MLB Draft. He began his professional career with the Low‑A Boise Hawks before progressing through the minor‑league system, including stints with the South Bend Cubs (Single‑A), Myrtle Beach Pelicans (High‑A), and Tennessee Smokies (Double‑A). Blandón made his MLB debut with the Cubs on September 8, 2020, entering as a defensive replacement at second base. He recorded his first major‑league hit on September 13, 2020, against the Cincinnati Reds.
Milwaukee Brewers
On March 31, 2022, Blandón was claimed off waivers by the Milwaukee Brewers. He spent the majority of the 2022 season with the Triple‑A Nashville Sounds, appearing in 115 games and posting a .275 batting average with 9 home runs and 48 RBIs. He was recalled to the Brewers' major‑league roster in September 2022, appearing in 13 games primarily as a utility infielder.
Playing style
Blandón is a right‑handed batter and thrower. He is noted for his defensive versatility, capable of playing second base, shortstop, and third base. His offensive profile is characterized by contact hitting, with a career MLB batting average of .222 (as of the end of the 2023 season).
Personal life
Blandón maintains dual citizenship with the United States and Nicaragua. He has represented Nicaragua in international competition, including the 2023 World Baseball Classic qualifiers.
Career statistics (MLB)
| Season | Team | Games | At‑bats | Hits | HR | RBI | BA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Chicago Cubs | 7 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 0 | .167 |
| 2021 | Chicago Cubs | 44 | 123 | 24 | 2 | 13 | .195 |
| 2022 | Milwaukee Brewers | 13 | 31 | 6 | 0 | 2 | .194 |
| Total | — | 64 | 166 | 32 | 2 | 15 | .193 |
References
- Major League Baseball official player profile, mlb.com.
- "Alex Blandón Drafted by Cubs," Chicago Tribune, June 2015.
- "UCF Knights Bio – Alex Blandón," UCF Athletics (archived).
- "Milwaukee Brewers Claim Infielder Alex Blandón," Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, March 2022.
External links
- MLB.com player page for Alex Blandón
- Baseball‑Reference.com statistical summary
Note: Statistics are current through the conclusion of the 2023 MLB regular season.