4. IAN BLADERGROEN, 1b Age: 22 B-T: L-L Ht: 6-4 Wt: 210
Drafted: Lamar (Colo.) CC, D/F 2002 (44th round) Signed by: Marlon Jones


Background: Bladergroen passed up a scholarship from Nebraska to sign with the Mets as a draft-and-follow prior to the 2003 draft. A two-time junior college all-American, he led national juco players with 32 homers in 2003. He had a breakout first full season in 2004, but it ended early when he tore a ligament in his left wrist in July.

Strengths: Bladergroen has plus power, and because his swing keeps the bat in the zone for a long time, he also can hit for average. He uses the whole field and works counts well. One of the best defensive first basemen in the system, he’s agile and has a big wingspan to nab high throws.

Weaknesses: Though Bladergoren has produced for average and power, his bat speed is not exceptional and could cause him problems at higher levels. His wrist injury is also a question mark, as he couldn’t swing the bat during instructional league.

The Future: The Mets are anxiously awaiting Bladergroen’s recovery. If he’s fully healthy when spring training begins, he could hit his way to high Class A. Wrist injuries often take a while to heal, so he could need time to regain his power stroke.


2004 Club (Class) AVG OBP SLG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB
Capital City (Lo A) .342 .397 .595 269 39 92 23 3 13 74 25 55 1

I saw Ian Bladergroen play for the Brooklyn Cyclones in 2003, and I have a partial plan to the Cyclones games. I was really impressed with him. He showed some good power, and a slick glove around first base. I thought he had a legitimate shot to make it to Shea Stadium one day. I think it's a good trade for the Red Sox. I'm glad the Sox held on to Kevin Millar...

What I really like about this deal is his defense. Not only does the guy have a great bat, but his defense is great. From what I read he projects around a .300/20-25 HR type guy. Add that and his apparent great glove and you have a very good prospect in my opinion.

A bit concerned with Jim Callis's report from Cambridge's interview that Bladegroen's bat speed is not great. Hopefully his injured wrist will not add to this problem which hopefully can be overcome.

q and a from Wilmington website http://www.bluerocks.com/cgi-bin/dist/news.cgi?id=10
great interveiw

Wilmington, DE—Ian Bladergroen will begin his third year of professional ball with a new organization this season. Rated the #4 prospect in the New York Mets organization by Baseball America, Bladergroen was traded to the Red Sox system on January 26, and may start the season in Wilmington. Last year, Bladergroen had a fine season in Capital City (A-South Atlantic) cut short due to a wrist injury. He was batting .342 with 13 homeruns and 74 RBI before his season-ending injury. The Blue Rocks caught up with him as he prepared for Spring Training in Bonita Springs, Florida.

What was your first reaction to being traded from the New York Mets to the Boston Red Sox on January 26?
My initial reaction was being overwhelmed. I had no idea I was on the trading block, but after I thought about it, I realized it was going to be a good move. Jumping into the Red Sox organization is a great opportunity for me.

Before the trade, you were touted by Baseball America as one of the Mets top prospects. Does being elevated to prospect status motivate you to work harder?
I don’t think that alone makes you work harder. I worked really hard to get myself to that level. It’s definitely an incentive. It’s real encouraging to be named one of the top prospects.

Who was the first person from the Red Sox organization that contacted you?
Actually it was (Red Sox General Manager) Theo Epstein. I was out grabbing a bite with my girlfriend, and I guess the Mets were trying to reach me, but I got a call from Theo welcoming me to the organization.

What have you heard about the Red Sox organization or what have Red Sox officials told you about the minor league system specifically that you have liked?
They talked about how a few had seen me play against Augusta, and they liked what they saw. I think they’re looking for some help at first base, and I have a chance to do well here. I think it’s going to be a good move.

Do you know any players in the Red Sox organization?
From playing in the South Atlantic League, I definitely have the on-field camaraderie with a bunch of guys like (then-Augusta outfielder) Brandon Moss. I got to know him pretty well during the All-Star game. Since I’ve come down to Florida, I met (catcher) Jon Devries and a few others.

You were traded for Major Leaguer Doug Mientkiewicz. Do minor league players pay attention to who they were traded for?
A trade is a trade. (Being traded for Mientkiewicz) is not going to go to my head. I still have to work hard to make it. It’s an honor to be named in a trade with someone like that, though.

You suffered a wrist injury in early July of last season while you were playing for Capital City (SAL) and missed the rest of the season. What were the specifics of the injury and are you healthy going into spring training?
I had a “TFCC” tear in my left wrist. It’s the same injury that happened to Nomar Garciaparra. It’s a fairly common injury for hitters. I had surgery back in July and it’s been a slow process coming back. I’m supposed to fly up to Boston this week to get cleared to swing the bat.

Was it harder coming back physically or mentally from the time off?
It’s been tougher mentally. I’m going crazy not swinging the bat!

One Mets scout was quoted as saying that “trading (you) may come back to haunt us in a few years.” What are your thoughts on that statement?
I just want the opportunity to get up in the Big Leagues. It was hard to say goodbye to my teammates and coaches. I enjoyed my time with them and the opportunity they gave me, but I’m ready to move forward with my career.

What have you heard about the Carolina League compared to other leagues?
Guys definitely seem to be a lot more excited about it. The weather’s nicer. The middle of summer won’t be so hot. I’m excited to be playing there.

The minor league affiliate that you were with last year in the Mets system is now an affiliate in the Red Sox system. What did you enjoy about your time in Capital City (Columbia, SC) last season?
It was a good college town (The University of South Carolina is located in Columbia). They didn’t get a whole lot of fans down there, but the fans were great people. The Bombers were a real close-knit organization, and the town embraced the team.

Last season was your first full season in professional baseball, what made it different than your first year?
I like the Sally league a lot better than the New York-Penn league. I like being in the South a little bit better. The past two years, I’ve been with the same group of guys. That’s what made the goodbyes tough. It’s your draft class, and I made a lot of friends. It’s everyone’s goal to make it with the team that drafted you, but that’s unlikely most of the time.

Dann Bilardello, who will manage the Blue Rocks in 2005, managed in the South Atlantic League (with the Columbus Catfish) last season and he said recently that he was impressed with you as a player. What type of year were you having before the injury?
I’m a 44th round pick, so the expectations weren’t that high. A lot of people were surprised, though. I worked real hard in the offseason, and it paid off. I’m hoping to have the same type of year this year.

If you could compare yourself to another first baseman, whom would you choose?
Todd Helton or Will Clark. I grew up as a Will Clark fan. I love the way Clark played the game. He played 100 percent all the time. Helton’s great with the stick and the glove. As far as a clubhouse guy, I think Kevin Millar is a great guy to take after.

You broke into professional baseball in 2003 and played for the Brooklyn Cyclones (NY-Penn League). Did you enjoy your experience in Brooklyn?
I came from a “Podunk” town in Lamar, Colorado, where we played in front of maybe a few dozen fans, and then went to the middle of New York in front of eight or nine thousand people. That got the adrenaline going!

You were selected in the 44th round of the 2002 June Free Agent draft by the Mets organization and signed as a draft-and-follow before the 2003 draft. If you did not sign with the Mets, you were committed to attending Nebraska, what were some of the things that went into your ultimate decision to sign with the Mets and begin your professional career?
The Mets gave me a legitimate opportunity, so I don’t regret (not going to Nebraska). They didn’t treat me like a late round pick. I got a chance to start in Brooklyn. The year leading into the draft, I felt like I needed another year working with my hitting coach. After that, I felt I was ready. That played a big part in coming to the Mets.

Did you grow up playing other sports or was it baseball only?
I played just about everything: basketball, football, soccer, and tennis. But I knew baseball was going to be my sports.

What are some of the things that you enjoy away from the field during the course of the season?
Golf’s a big one for me. It helps me stay balanced. Some people say that golfing messes up your swing, but I think it helps mine. I just had my golf clubs stolen before I left for Florida, though! I’m trying to buy some new ones before the season starts.

Who did you root for when you were a kid?
I was born in Atlanta, so I always liked the Braves, but, thanks to my brother, the past five or ten years, I’ve been a Red Sox fan. I love the way they have team chemistry. A bunch of dirty guys having a great time. I was really happy when they won the World Series, even though I wasn’t with the organization yet.

What do you remember about your first-ever playing experience as a kid?
I grew up in Orlando, and we moved to Albuquerque when I was 11 or 12. Little League was my favorite time of the year. I still have friends that I grew up playing Little League with.

What has been your career highlight thus far?
There are a lot of great memories. We played in the Junior College World Series my freshman year. Playing in Brooklyn and Capital City, we played for the league championship both years.

What are some of the things that you need to accomplish this year in order for you to deem it as a successful season?
I’m just going to try and stay healthy. I‘d like to win a championship. That’s the ultimate goal. Hopefully I can bring my piece, and we’ll get a ring.

article in Delaware online

A player for Boston's future
Red Sox made trade to get Rocks first baseman
By DOUG LESMERISES / The News Journal
04/15/2005The concept had grown foreign to the Boston Red Sox over the past several years, so Ian Bladergroen had a reason to be flattered.

In January, when the spend-money, gotta-win Red Sox traded a major league player - first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz - to the New York Mets for a minor league player - Class A first baseman Bladergroen - it was the first time in a long time the Red Sox themselves remembered giving up a little bit of now for a little more of later.

The Blue Rocks are lucky they did.

Bladergroen was ranked by Baseball America as the No. 4 prospect in the New York Mets system before the deal.

Now, not only has he become the best first base prospect for the Red Sox and a standout in a system short on left-handed hitters, he's also become the heart of the order for the Blue Rocks, a team with a starting pitching rotation packed with prospects and a batting order without much history of production.

"It was overwhelming to be traded for a big leaguer," Bladergroen, 22, said. "As a minor leaguer, it's an honor. And to come to an organization like the Red Sox, as it turned out, I think it's a good move for me."

As he has settled into the third spot in the Blue Rocks' lineup through the first week of the season, it's unsettling to imagine where the Rocks would be without him as they open their home schedule at Frawley Stadium tonight against the Salem Avalanche.

Bladergroen batted .342 in his first full professional season in 2004. He swatted 13 home runs and knocked in 74 runs even though his season ended in early July after 72 games because of a wrist injury. Of the 12 other hitters on the Rocks roster, only outfielder Mickey Hall [13 homers, 63 RBIs] hit more than six home runs or had more than 56 RBIs last year.

With the Red Sox's three top position player prospects - shortstop Hanley Ramirez, outfielder Brandon Moss and second baseman Dustin Pedroia - all playing at Double A Portland, the Blue Rocks need all the offense they can get.

Bladergroen goes 6-foot-5, 210 pounds, and answers to "Blade." He is a pure hitter who can also handle himself defensively. He was drafted in the 44th round of the 2002 draft, but after hitting 32 home runs to lead all junior college players the following season, the Mets persuaded him to sign rather than enroll at the University of Nebraska.

When Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein was looking to deal Mientkiewicz, who had come to Boston from Minnesota as part of the four-team Nomar Garciaparra trade last July, he found the Mets in need of a starting major league first baseman. And he found a guy he thought the Red Sox system could use.

"We always liked his ability as a left-handed hitter with good, raw power," said Red Sox minor league director Ben Cherington. "He's got a pretty good knowledge of the strike zone and makes hard contact. And he's a good kid and good worker. It came down to Theo making the best deal he can, and Blade was the best deal we could get for Mientkiewicz."

Mientkiewicz, you'll remember, caught the final out of the World Series last fall and kept the ball, igniting an offseason tempest when the Red Sox made their claim to the historic baseball. The two sides worked out a deal where Mientkiewicz loaned the ball back to the Red Sox for a year. Epstein said he didn't ship off his first baseman because of the controversy. But just in case, Bladergroen did promise to give the ball back if the Blue Rocks win the Carolina League title this year.

Bladergroen admired former Giants, Rangers and Orioles first baseman Will Clark, a lifetime .303 hitter, while growing up, and he offered current Colorado first baseman Todd Helton as a present-day ideal. With 33-year-old, part-time outfielder Kevin Millar manning first base for the Red Sox right now, Bladergroen has a real chance to hit his way to Boston someday.

Right now, the Rocks will take all the hits he can give them.

Contact Doug Lesmerises at dlesmerises@delawareonline.com

nice article by our very own Cambridge

Acquired from the Mets during the offseason for Doug Mientkiewicz, Ian Bladergroen is rated by Baseball America as the 9th best prospect in the Red Sox organization. A 22-year-old first baseman, Bladergroen hit .342-13-74 in Low-A Capital City last year before having his season cut short by a wrist injury. A lefthanded hitter with good power, Bladergroen is currently with the Wilmington Blue Rocks in the high-A Carolina League. We talked to Ian about his injury, his bat speed, and what he'd do with "The Ball" if he were Mientkiewicz.



RSN: How has the early part of the season gone for you, and more importantly, how's the wrist?

IB: I've gotten off to a slow start. I went eight months without swinging a bat, and it's taking time to get back into the groove. My wrist is nagging a bit right now, so I'm actually out of the lineup for a few days. My swing was a little rusty this spring and I was pressing a bit early in the season. A few weeks ago I started taking some extra hitting, and I think that's caused some scar tissue to break up. I don't think it's serious, but it's a good idea to rest it for a few games.

RSN: Tell us about the injury itself.

IB: It was a freak thing. I hit a sac fly last August against the Red Sox -- against Augusta -- and tore a ligament. It was the TFC tendon in my left wrist, which is essentially the same injury Nomar had. It's more or less a case-by-case prognosis as to how long it takes to heal. It was feeling okay until recently, and hopefully will be again soon.

RSN: How has the injury affected your stroke?

IB: Bob Tewksbury was down here throwing BP yesterday, and he commented on how I was able to drop the head on balls away, but not roll my top-hand over on inside pitches. That's the biggest thing.

RSN: While you're highly regarded as a hitting prospect, one knock on you is that your bat speed may not be great. What are your thoughts on that?

IB: I've heard it, and for the most part I think it's bogus. I've talked to scouts who don't agree either. Part of it might be that I keep the bat in the zone a little longer.

RSN: Can you elaborate?

IB: With a short bat path, it's not in the hitting zone quite as long. You want it in the zone as long as possible, especially against off-speed stuff. Recognizing pitches and keeping your weight and hands back is an important part of it.

RSN: Do you consider yourself a power hitter?

IB: I have power potential, but I'm more gap-to-gap. If I'm hitting at Fenway someday, I do have power to left center and will be able to hit the wall. I've never been there, but it's obviously a great park. When you think of Fenway, you think about things like the Pesky Pole. You know what that is? It's a great tribute to someone who's a great man.

RSN: You hit six home runs two years ago, but last season had 13 in only 72 games. What was the difference?

IB: My first year, in Brooklyn, I was more spread out at the plate. More "Bagwell-esque," you might say. Last season I worked with Howard Johnson and changed to where I was more upright. I’m able to open up my hips better and get more leverage on the ball, and it’s really made a difference.

RSN: You're listed at 6-5, 210. Is that pretty accurate, and is it where you'd like your weight to be?

IB: That's pretty close. I came in around 220-225 this spring, but worked most of that off. As I get older, I want to get bigger and stronger, but not to the point where I lose my athleticism. You don't need to be 260 pounds to hit home runs.

RSN: You mentioned earlier that you hurt your wrist hitting against Augusta. Which pitchers on their staff do you recall being impressed with?

IB: You know, it's funny -- I mostly remember the hitters. I met Brandon Moss at the All-Star game, and he and Mickey Hall both impressed me. I don't remember a lot about the guys on the mound, but that's probably my own fault. The Mets organization doesn't stress hitting journals like we do here, so I didn't know them as well I could have.

RSN: Can you say a little more on that?

IB: The Red Sox organization places more emphasis on having a good game plan. The Mets had hitter's meetings, but charts weren't mandatory. Here they are. Pitchers may not throw you what the chart says they will, but if they tend to get hitters out a certain way, there's a decent chance they'll pitch you the same way.

RSN: Last year you played on the team with the best record in all of minor league baseball. This year you're on a team that's been solid but unspectacular. In the minors, how important is winning as opposed to achieving personal goals?

IB: You always want to win, and on a personal level you want to perform. You can't completely separate the two, because you want to help the team and performing helps achieve that goal. We're not playing to our potential right now, and it's a boost to know that we're going to get better. The bottom line is that you want to play like a team, and we have the talent to win games.

RSN: You were acquired for Doug Mientkiewicz, who made the last putout of the World Series. There's been some controversy over who that ball belongs to. If it were you, do you keep it or give it up?

IB: Boy, you're putting me on the spot! I think it belongs in Cooperstown or Boston. I don't begrudge Doug if he keeps it, but it means a lot to a lot of people. It's a Hall of Fame ball, in my opinion.

RSN: I'm sure you got a call from Theo Epstein soon after the trade. At the time, were you aware that he, and much of his staff, is as young as they are? And does that make it easier to communicate with them?

IB: I was, actually. I had read an article on Theo somewhere. They're definitely respected, regardless of how old they are. I got calls from both Theo and Ben Cherington, and they were both easy to talk to. Maybe age played a part in that. I'm not sure.

RSN: You were drafted out of Lamar College, in Colorado. Tell us about that.

IB: I was drafted after my freshman season, but decided to stay for a second year. Their coach is a great hitting instructor, which is one reason I went there. I wasn't heavily recruited. I had offers at New Mexico and New Mexico State, but opted for Lamar. I think it was the right decision.

RSN: You went to high school in New Mexico. Is that where you're from originally?

IB: In was born in Atlanta, but mostly grew up in Orlando. When I was 11 or 12 we moved out west. It's definitely more laid back in New Mexico. Lamar, too. I played in Brooklyn after I signed with the Mets, and it was absolutely different. It was almost overwhelming at times, early on. I was used to going out at night and there'd be maybe 10 people. It's a little different in New York.

RSN: Were you a big baseball fan growing up?

IB: Oh, yeah. I was a huge Braves fan. And ever since I started playing ball -- I think I was about four -- this is what I've wanted to do.

RSN: As a player, you spend so much time on the field that it's hard to watch Major League games. Do you miss that?

IB: In a way, but I actually get to see more now than I did the last two years. We have the MLB package here in the clubhouse, so we see some. As a matter of fact, we have the Red Sox game on right now.

RSN: Last one: What do you like to do when you're not playing baseball, and how would you describe your personality?

IB: I like golfing and fishing. I'm pretty laid back off the field. On the field, I'm totally different. There I'm intense, but in more of a "rah, rah" way than dead serious. I'll run my mouth a little, but that's just to keep everyone fired up. Anything to help win baseball games.

Bladdergroan is rehabing in the GCL, and has hit well in very limited action.

Ian is back up with wilmington and went 0 for 5

Bump

Bladergroen's 2005 line with Wilmington:

G 75
AB 263
R 25
H 63
2B 6
3B 3
HR 4
RBI 31
SB 0
CS 1
BB 30
SO 77
BA .240
OBP .337
SLG .331

A couple of questions, if anybody knows:

1) Is Bladergroen projected to recover further from his wrist injury?

2) How does a slow-moving slugger get 6 doubles, 3 triples, and 4 home runs in 63 hits? That looks like an old Jerry Remy batting line...

Can't speak to the second question. The first question I have some information, but the jury is still out on whether Ian will get his power back. There was a good discussion on this over at SoxProspects.com in this thread.

In that thread, NHSoxFan4 had a very good break down of Ian's season for his time in Wilmington and the GCL.

The only real consensus was that next year will be very telling for Ian.

Thanks!

Let's contrast that last part of the year--possibly the only part where wasn't wasn't playing hurt or returning from injury--with his 2004 season:

2004 A: .342/.397/.595
late 2005 A: .279/.369/.423

Scotian1's comment in the SoxProspects thread rings true--2006 is a big year for Bladergroen. That late 2005 line isn't bad for a 44th round draft pick, but most 44th-rounders don't reach MLB, and even his best 2005 stats don't reach his 2004 level of performance.

Honestly, if he was recovered, he should have been playing in some level of winter league somewhere. Now maybe he just wasn't good enough to warrant a roster spot somewhere, but if ever there was a kid that could use AB's over the winter.......

"Blade" is in high A Wilmington.

Game 1 playing 1b, hitting 6th behind Otness.
3/5, 2b, with a 2 out RBI (game log says 2 guys scored, but there was a throwing error).
He got all of his hits off of 21 year old leftie J. Stevens and 23 year old Wes Leston from the Myrtle Beach / Braves organization.
Our guys generally beat up on Stevens, scoring 7 runs over 4 innings.

Wilmington looks a lot better this year than they did last year.

Game 2, 4/7, Ian was shut down by 20 year old rightie Jose Ascanio, 20 year old leftie Kevin Villa, and 21 year old leftie Will Startup. It was a 10 inning ordeal.

He went 0/4 with a walk and a K (Ascanio).

Hitting wise I'll agree that Wilmington is alot better but their pitching on paper is not too spectacular.

Looks like the Blade may finally have that wrist injury behind him and is getting his career back on track.


Boston Herald

For the season at High-A Wilmington: .248/.345/.472 for an .817 OPS, with 6 HRs in 125 ABs. He's still striking out a lot (36).

Blade has been released from the Red Sox organization.

Yikes. He was semi-highly touted, too, when we got him. That's too bad.