Blanco made his major league debut with the Kansas City Royals on April 18, 2004. He hit .317 (19-for-60) with five RBIs, nine runs, two doubles, two triples, and one stolen base in 19 games.
He hit .215 with a .220 on-base percentage in 2005, and .241 with a .290 on-base percentage in 2006, both with Kansas City. Blanco had surgery on September 29, 2006, to repair a posterior labrum tear in his left shoulder, which he injured during a swing five days prior against the Tigers.[1][2]
He did not play in the major leagues in 2007, but batted .192 in the minor leagues with a .226 on-base percentage and a .212 slugging percentage.[3]
Chicago Cubs
He signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs in November 2007, played the 2008 season with the Iowa Cubs where he hit .285/.327/.336, and became a free agent at the end of the season. In December 2008, he re-signed with the Cubs.
On March 27, 2010, Blanco was traded to the Texas Rangers in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations. He subsequently won the Rangers' utility infielder position. In 2011, Blanco batted .224/.263/.342 for Texas.[4] He became a free agent on November 4, 2011.
Washington Nationals
Blanco signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals on December 16, 2011. He also received an invitation to spring training.
Philadelphia Phillies
On March 31, 2012, Blanco signed a minor league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies organization. Playing for the Triple–A Lehigh Valley IronPigs in 2012, he batted .235/.301/.346 with 10 home runs and 40 RBI.[3] He had right shoulder surgery in February 2013, and missed playing the entire 2013 season.[4]
The Phillies re-signed Blanco to a minor league contract that included a spring training invitation on November 21, 2013.[5] On June 29, 2014, Blanco was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time.
On December 14, 2016, Blanco signed a one-year, $3 million contract with the Phillies.[6] On June 7, 2017, Blanco pitched 1⁄3 of an inning in a blowout loss to the Atlanta Braves, giving up a two-run home run for an ERA of 27.00.[7]
Milwaukee Brewers
On January 30, 2018, Blanco signed a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants.[8] He was released by the Giants organization prior to the start of the season on March 23.[9]
On April 2, 2018, Blanco signed a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers.[10] In 96 games for the Triple–A Colorado Springs Sky Sox, he batted .271/.362/.435 with 9 home runs and 47 RBI. Blanco elected free agency following the season on November 2.[11]
Atlanta Braves
On December 7, 2018, Blanco signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves that included an invitation to spring training.[12] He spent the 2019 campaign with the Triple–A Gwinnett Stripers, playing in 118 games and hitting .262/.364/.443 with 19 home runs and 61 RBI. Blanco elected free agency following the season on November 4, 2019.[13]
Milwaukee Brewers (second stint)
On January 31, 2020, Blanco signed a minor league deal with the Milwaukee Brewers. He did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[14] Blanco was released by the Brewers organization on May 28.[15]
