88 Kyle Blanks, RF

Padres outfielder Kyle Blanks clubbed his eighth home run of the season Sunday against the Diamondbacks. 

In the bottom of the eighth inning, Blanks took a David Hernandez curveball over the wall in left for a three-run shot. Blanks has been off to a strong start this year, hitting .281/.365/.511 in 135 at-bats. He'll take on the Giants and Dodgers this week.

When Kyle Blanks was putting together about an .850 OPS as a part-time outfielder for the Padres, it was interesting but didn't exactly move the needle in Fantasy. Now that he's playing first base every day with Yonder Alonso sidelined with a fractured hand, the rush to the waiver wire is on.

It seems like ancient history, but in 2009, Blanks was considered a top prospect -- a well-rounded hitter with a good batting eye and huge power potential. And with 10 home runs over 148 at-bats during a midseason call-up that year, he showed those skills would translate to the majors.

But then came Tommy John surgery -- first, the slow revelation that it's what he needed and then the lengthy recovery. By the time he returned, he was blocked at his primary position and forced to work his way into a crowded outfield picture.

No, he won't overtake Alonso if he continues to hit .300 with a .900 OPS in his absence, but he will make a strong case to continue starting in left field. As Chris Davis showed last year, no 26-year-old is a lost cause.

Padres outfielder Kyle Blanks is making contact at a higher rate this year. He's been one of the most added players in CBSSports Fantasy leagues this week.

Blanks has gotten off to a tremendous start, hitting .298/.383/.518 in 114 at-bats. A big part of that is due to his increased contact rate. Blanks is making contact on 76.3 percent of his swings this season. That's nearly a 7 percent improvement over his former career-high. 

The Padres had briefly considered demoting Blanks when Cameron Maybin returned, but was saved by Yonder Alonso's injury. If Blanks can continue to assert himself in an extended role, he could remain in the majors once everyone is healthy. 

Padres utility man Kyle Blanks launched his sixth home run of the season in Saturday's contest against the Rockies. It was his third home run in his last five games.

Blanks took Jeff Francis deep for a two-run home run in the fourth inning. He added a double and finished 2 for 4 with a run scored and two RBI in a 4-2 win. He is hitting .474 (9 for 19) with three homers and seven RBI in his last five games.

With Yonder Alonso on the disabled list, Kyle Blanks made his third start of the season at first base for the Padres Friday against the Rockies.

Blanks launched his fifth home run of the season and finished 3 for 5 with two runs scored and three RBI in a 10-9 loss. He along with Jesus Guzman and Mark Kotsay are expected to split time at first base in Alonso's absence.