14th round pick C Michael Blanke is off to a great start in Great Falls

A hitting catcher? FutureSox:

Blanke had a strong pedigree coming from the D2 power University of Tampa so the 14th rounder’s sparkling start for Great Falls shouldn’t come as a major surprise. His July slash line (.341/.404/.647) shows his power, but he’s also able to avoid the strikeout. On the year he has just 15 strikeouts in 134 plate appearances. The 21 year-old is hitting .341 with a .984 OPS overall. It’s just rookie ball and Blanke’s defense needs to improve, but it’s always nice to have a strong batting catcher.

Michael Blanke’s stats: .341/.391/.593/.984 with 10 BB and 15 K in 123 AB (Minor League Splits)

Also off to a great start in Great Falls: 5th round pick 1B Andy Wilwins: .341/.431/.560/.992 with 16 BB and 12 K in 91 AB (Minor League Splits)

White Sox sign 3 draft picks: C Mike Blanke, 1B/DH Mike Schwartz and RHP Austin Evans

St. Pete Times:

Tampa trio signs: Three players drafted out of the University of Tampa signed with the White Sox: C Mike Blanke (14th round), 1B/DH Mike Schwartz (17th) and RHP Austin Evans (23rd), a former Chamberlain High standout.

Mike Blanke’s stats:

Year	avg	gp-gs	ab	r	h	2b	3b	hr	rbi	tb	slg%	bb	hbp	so	gdp	ob%	sf	sh	sb-att	po	a	e	fld%
2010	.377	56-54	199	51	75	18	3	9	65	126	.653	20	6	23	10	.435	7	1	0-1	326	49	7	.982
2009	.174	13-5	23	2	4	1	0	0	4	5	.217	2	2	5	0	.296	0	0	0-0	4	2	1	.857

FS:

Solid bat, defense needs work

Mike Schwartz’s stats:

Player	avg	gp-gs	ab	r	h	2b	3b	hr	rbi	tb	slg%	bb	hbp	so	gdp	ob%	sf	sh	sb-att	po	a	e	fld%
2010	.415	57-57	183	78	76	20	1	11	55	131	.716	75	11	20	5	.596	3	0	2-2	30	1	0	1.000
2009	.368	55-54	190	52	70	12	0	14	58	124	.653	27	16	30	8	.477	4	0	1-1	0	0	0	.000

CSN:

The Sox went back to Tampa to grab the Sunshine Conference Player of the Year. Schwartz was also a semifinalist for the Tino Martinez award, presented annually to the nation’s top Division-II player. He hit .415 and set a school record while leading the nation with 75 walks. So it only goes to figure he had an impressive OBP [.596]. Schwartz finished with 11 homers and 55 RBIs.

Austin Evans’ stats:

Year	era	w-l	app-gs	cg	sho	sv	ip	h	r	er	bb	so	2b	3b	hr	ab	b/avg	wp	hbp	bk	sfa	sha
2010	5.40	0-0	10-0	0	0/0	0	11.2	18	7	7	8	14	0	0	0	53	.340	1	2	0	0	0
2009	6.06	2-1	12-0	0	0/1	2	16.1	15	11	11	15	19	1	1	1	64	.234	2	4	0	0	0
2008	6.75	0-0	7-0	0	0/0	0	9.1	6	7	7	6	5	0	0	1	31	.194	3	2	0	1	0

FS:

He was a big prospect out of high school, but has struggled in college.