Kyle Blanks, San Diego's top hitting prospect, is expected to be promoted from Triple-A Portland and join the Padres as early as Friday.The 22-year-old Blanks was batting .283 with 12 home runs and 38 RBI prior to his expected promotion. He's split time this season between his natural first base position and left field, a move that should earn Blanks more playing time at the big-league level due to the stranglehold Adrian Gonzalez has on the first base position.
The right-handed hitting Blanks was named the Padres Minor League Player of the Year last season after averaging .325 in Double-A San Antonio with 20 home runs and 107 RBI. He hit .301 the previous season in Single-A Lake Elsinore with 24 home runs and 100 RBI.
The 6-foot-6 power hitter should see playing time at the designated hitter position next week with the Padres playing in Seattle for three games and then in Texas for three. But when it comes to playing without the DH, since he's only played 14 games in left field, Blanks will probably split time with Chase Headley.
