Padres Jabari Blash Records his First Major League Hit

Jabari Blash recorded his first major league hit with a double in the sixth inning on Saturday. He was brought in to pinch-hit for starting pitcher Drew Pomeranz.

In his first four games, the 26-year old Blash went 0-5 with a walk and a strikeout. The Padres defeated the Colorado Rockies 16-3.

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In six games this season he is 1-6 with two walks and a strikeout. He has also scored two runs.

Usually players would love for their first hit to be a home run, but not Blash.

“At contact, my first thought was, ‘Shucks, I’m probably not going to get it back if I hit it out,” Blash said. “I wanted the ball, so I was actually hoping it stayed in so it would be easier to retrieve. So I was glad that I was able to get a double and now I have a Major League average, so that’s exciting.” (MLB.com)

On Friday, Blash grounded into a double play on the first pitch he saw.

“I was a little too aggressive, and that’s something I have to work on,” Blash said. “So walking into the at-bat yesterday, I knew I had to be a little more patient and just stick with my approach and not try to square up the first thing you see. I was excited. I knew there was an opportunity to get my first hit.”

Right now he is just being used as a pinch-hitter, but he is fine with that role.

“I have no idea when I’ll get my first start, but I understand my role,” Blash said after making his major league debut on Monday. “I’ll take my at-bats when they come.” (The San Diego Union-Tribune)

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Blash was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 29^th round of the 2007 draft out Amalie High School in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, but did not sign with them. After he was unable to play baseball at Alcorn State University, he transferred to Miami-Dade College. He was drafted in the ninth round by the Texas Rangers in 2009, but chose to return to Miami-Dade instead. He was then drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the eighth round of the 2010 draft and signed with them. The Oakland Athletics drafted in the 2015 Rule 5 draft before trading him to the Padres.