#19 Ben Blanton Season 2008-09

Coach Corbin Quote: We are expecting Ben to start to work his way into the mix after a redshirt year. He can throw three solid pitches for strikes. He has very good work habits and is very good in weight room.

2008: Redshirted his true freshman campaign. Went 4-0 with 2.33 ERA in 27 innings for the Fauquier Gaators in the Valley League over the summer. Only pitcher on the team to toss a complete game shutout.

High School: Tabbed the 31st best prospect out of Georgia by Baseball America entering the June 2007 draft … Helped lead Chattahoochee High to state championship in 2005. Team finished No. 23 in the national rankings by B.A. … Set the school single season record in ERA (0.58) and saves (4). Six career saves also record … 2007 Atlanta Journal Constitution All-Northside First Team …Four-year letterman … Also earned team[apos]s Outstanding Player Award in 2007 … Member of the National Honor Society (2005-07) and the Spanish National Honor Society (2005-07) … Graduated Magna Cum Laude and also served as the sports editor of the school newspaper.

Personal: Benjamin Troy Blanton … Born 9/17/88 …. Son of Jan Blanton … An economics major… Favorites include Jeff Francoeur, Family Guy, Garth Brooks, Will Ferrell and the movies 300 and Superbad … Favorite vacation spot is Orange Beach, Ala. … Chose Vanderbilt because it gives him the best of both worlds: attending one of the top universities in the world and getting the opportunity to play baseball for Coach Corbin.