Dairon Blanco DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

The Kansas City Royals announced on Monday that they optioned outfielder Dairon Blanco to Triple-A Omaha to make room for outfield/first base prospect Jac Caglianone. Blanco will get sent back to the farm after going just 1-for-6 with an RBI, two runs scored and three stolen bases for the Royals in just nine games played this year. The 32-year-old veteran was recently activated from a stint on the injured list on May 16. The Cuban outfielder made his debut in the big leagues with the Royals in 2022 and has hit .257/.312/.416 with seven home runs, 34 RBI, 59 stolen bases and 59 runs scored in 171 games for the Royals since. Speed is his biggest attraction in fantasy after stealing a combined 55 bags in 2023 and 2024 for KC. If Blanco makes it back to the majors this year, he'll serve as outfield depth off the bench.

Kansas City Royals outfielder Dairon Blanco (Achilles) received a platelet-rich plasma injection on April 4 after his Achilles flared up on March 30. Blanco then ran the bases for the first time last Friday, and he could start a minor-league rehab assignment this week. The 32-year-old veteran is attempting to return from right-Achilles tendinopathy, which landed him on the 10-day injured list back on March 31. If he is able to start a rehab assignment this week and avoid setbacks, he could return to the Royals next week. Blanco was able to take part in the team's pre-game activities on Wednesday and is getting close to his return to the big leagues. When he's ready, the Cuban outfielder will be a bench option for the Royals most nights and will mainly be useful in deeper fantasy leagues for his speed -- he stole a combined 55 bases in 2023 and 2024.

Kansas City Royals outfielder Dairon Blanco (Achilles) was placed on the 10-day injured list due to right Achilles tendinopathy on Monday. The 31-year-old did not receive a start during their opening series against the Cleveland Guardians. Last season, Blanco appeared in just 88 contests but did provide value in category formats. During this stretch, the 31-year-old swiped an impressive 31 bags, which was the eighth-most in the AL. In the batter's box, he posted a .258/.308/.392 slash line with just four doubles and four long balls. Through the first three games of the 2025 season, Blanco already swiped two bags. In a corresponding move, the Royals promoted Tyler Tolbert from Triple-A Omaha. He is worth monitoring in deeper category formats given his elite speed upside.