Madison on Blanton: “One of the top right-handers in the SEC. Really one of the top throwers in college baseball. We?re looking for Joseph to lead our pitching staff this season.?

As a Junior: Listed at No. 37 in Baseball America‘s Fab 50, the top 50 college prospects by class… Ranked as the No. 2 prospect in the SEC by Baseball America.

As a Sophomore: Tied for the team lead in appearances with 22? Pitched first complete game in his career in a 5-3 loss at Ole Miss, striking out six batters in eight innings of work (3/10)? Fifth on the team in innings pitched with 58.2 on the season? Came in to close out a 6-4 UK win over Vanderbilt on Apr. 13, earning his first save of the season? Came back on Apr. 15 to throw three innings against the Commodores and clinch his second save in a 7-1 Wildcat victory? Finished second on the team with 54 strikeouts? Fourth in earned run average with a 5.52? Lost first three games of the year before striking out three batters in two innings to earn the win over Austin Peay on March 21? Tossed eight innings and struck out five, earning the win over then 7th ranked LSU (4/1)? Relieved Scott Wade?s nine inning effort to pitch one inning and get the victory in a 5-4 edging of Arkansas (4/27)? Second in opposing batting average (.269).

As a Freshman: Honorable mention selection to the 2000 Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American team?Appeared in 19 games for the Cats, making one start?Registered a perfect 5-0 record in addition to picking up two saves?Posted a 5.54 ERA in 50.1 innings of work?Went 3.0 innings, striking out five and allowing only one hit against Jacksonville to earn the save (2/18)? Picked up his first collegiate victory out of the bullpen, going 7.2 innings in relief, allowing only one run while striking out eight and retiring the final 16 batters in a row in the Cats? 6-4 win over Belmont (2/27)?Preserved UK?s 3-1 victory over Western Kentucky (5/9) by striking out four batters in 2.0 innings of relief to notch his second save?Threw five scoreless innings in a crucial SEC victory over Vanderbilt (5/13).

High School: Coached by Greg Shelton at Franklin-Simpson… Was selected Mr. Baseball and first-team All-State… Lettered in baseball six years… Won Pitcher of the Year award sophomore, junior and senior seasons… Led the state in strikeouts three consecutive years… Was Team MVP in 1997 & 1998… Also lettered two years in basketball.

Personal: Full name is Joseph Matthew Blanton… Born Dec. 11, 1980 in Nashville… Son of Carolyn and Joey Blanton… Has one sister, Kara? Honor Roll student in high school… Lists winning Mr. Baseball as his most memorable moment in sports… Desire to play in the SEC was his reason for choosing UK over Western Kentucky and Troy State… Also enjoys golf.