On Thursday, Bradley Blanks became the third Windy City ThunderBolt player in 2010 to officially be signed by a Major League organization. Blanks’ contract was purchased by the Philadelphia Phillies.
Blanks appeared in 19 games this season as a pitcher out of the Windy City bullpen. He had a record of 1-2 and an ERA of 2.74 with one save. This was Blanks’s second year in the Frontier League after completing the 2008 campaign with the Evansville Otters. In 33 games of relief for Evansville, he compiled a 4-1 record and a 2.18 ERA. He took the 2009 season off before joining the ThunderBolts in 2010.
Blanks has been assigned to Class-A Williamsport in the Phillies organization. Williamsport competes in the New York-Penn League. He made his affiliated debut on Friday night, allowing two earned runs in two innings.
In the New York-Penn League, he may have the opportunity to pitch against former ThunderBolt teammate Matt Jernstad, who was signed by the Yankees earlier this season. Blanks and Jernstad are joined by Pete Budkevics as the three Bolts’ pitchers who have been signed by MLB clubs this season. No other Frontier League team has had more than one player signed in 2010.
The ThunderBolts return home for a 6-game homestand on Thursday, July 22nd against the Kalamazoo Kings (July 22nd - 24th) and Lake Erie Crushers (July 25th - 27th). The ThunderBolts version of Irish Night will kick off the homestand with a Bud Light Lime Pint Glass Giveaway (rescheduled from June 18th) scheduled and pre-game entertainment. On Friday, the first 1,000 fans will receive mini-bats courtesy of Chicago Event Graphics. In addition, it is another Fill 'R Up Friday with $1.00 draft beers. Friday is filled with excitement so bring a blanket to the game and spend the night on the field for Camp Out Night. Check the website for more exciting promotion the rest of the homestand.
