Appy notes: Blankenhorn in transition

Travis Blankenhorn's grooming as a third baseman has come with many of the expected developments as a prospect with the Elizabethton Twins. 

His career is off and running, and that's the important thing for an 18-year-old who's the youngest player on his Appalachian League team. He's making the transition after playing as a shortstop in high school.

"I guess a ground ball is a ground ball," he said. "At third base, when it gets to you, it gets to you a little bit faster."

That's one of the adjustments for the product of Pottsville Area High School in Pennsylvania. He was selected in the third round of last month's Draft and didn't waste time signing with the Twins despite a scholarship to play at Kentucky.

"I felt I got a pretty fair deal, so I knew I was going to sign," he said.

Blankenhorn lasted a few weeks in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League before taking the assignment with Elizabethton, so he figures his introduction was accelerated. He said the GCL was a good initiation, but he sees the benefits of playing in a different environment. He has experienced various aspects of Minor League life with a change of summer address already.

"It's different than the GCL," he said. "It's different playing at night."

Blankenhorn was a multi-sport athlete with football and basketball previously on his plate. Even though he was fully engulfed with travel baseball teams, he said he hopes with his attention solely on baseball there will be more gains ahead.

"It's different playing all baseball," he said.

Playing with older teammates is nothing new because he was a freshman on the varsity high school team. He also became serious about weight training by his sophomore year, and his 6-foot-2, 195-pound frame helps him fit in with his new teammates.

"I think I was physically ready," he said.

Elizabethton manager Ray Smith said Blankenhorn has adjusted well, soaking up information from his teammates.

"He's watching how those guys conduct themselves," Smith said. "You see him taking it in. He's a young pup. He's kind of checking it all out."

Smith said he likes how Blankenhorn, who swings from the left side, has put together quality at-bats against some left-handed pitching. His power numbers are bound to come.

"He's going to be a big man one day," Smith said. "He's going to have to hit and play one of the corners."

Blankenhorn said he's learning this summer how to cope with change and the disappointments that pop up along the way.

"I think it's mentally tougher," Blankenship said. "You have to keep focused. You go 0-for-4 -- mentally you have to deal with that. I'm not used to that from high school. I want to just keep playing hard and playing clean baseball."

In brief

Power pace: Pulaski Yankees first baseman Kane Sweeney began his career 0-for-10 before unleashing a power stroke that included three home runs over a four-game span. "I started off really slow," said the former Morehead State player. "Coming out of college, you want to get going right away. I'm glad it's picked up."

Memorable swing: Elizabethton first baseman Zander Wiel joined the Twins after playing in his second College World Series with Vanderbilt. His first professional hit was a home run, coming in his second game. "I guess it's nice the way it worked out," Wiel said. "I wasn't trying to hit it out." He ended up leaving that game in the ninth inning when he was hit by a pitch on his left hand.

Just put me in: Burlington second baseman Austin Bailey made the most of a chance to play when he was a late addition to the lineup Wednesday against the Bristol Pirates, providing his third homer among his three hits in the game. "I kind of switched to game mode," the University of San Diego product said. "I was just trying to make the best of it. I'm here to play and get better and not have days off."