
Blanton Becomes Gastonia's All-Time Strikeout Leader
July 16, 2025 - Atlantic League (AtL)
Gastonia Ghost Peppers News Release
GASTONIA, N.C. - RHP Bryan Blanton became Gastonia's all-time strikeout leader on Wednesday, recording his 167th punchout with the organization.
The right-hander surpassed LHP Ian McKinney, the previous strikeout record holder with 166, in Wednesday's game against Lexington. Blanton struck out Lexington's Brady Whalen swinging to end the sixth inning, putting him atop the leaderboard.
Blanton, 29, began pitching for Gastonia in 2023, having spent time with the franchise in parts of all three seasons. He recorded 78 strikeouts in 61 innings with the club in 2023, posting eight saves.
The Albemarle native punched out 36 batters in 37 innings last season with the Baseball Club, and this season struck out 52 in 36.2 frames entering Wednesday.
Blanton was drafted by the Yankees in 2017 and pitched in New York's system until 2022. He's now the all-time strikeout leader in Gastonia's franchise, having made a franchise-high 120 appearances - all out of the bullpen.
Atlantic League Stories from July 16, 2025
- Stormers Hold Off Hagerstown - Lancaster Stormers
- Late Rally Lifts Ferryhawks over Ducks - Long Island Ducks
- Rockers Rained out Wednesday, Play DH on Thursday at 11 Am at York - High Point Rockers
- The Only Thing Hitting Tonight? Rain. - York Revolution
- Thurman Deals in Crabs 6-1 Win over Dirty Birds - Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
- Blanton Becomes Gastonia's All-Time Strikeout Leader - Gastonia Ghost Peppers
- Legends Survive Another Wild Slugfest to Outlast Ghost Peppers, 12-11 - Lexington Legends
- Vallimont Dominates on Historic Night at WellSpan Park - York Revolution
- Southern Maryland Scores Twice in the 10th to Take Series Opener in Charleston - Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
- Dirty Birds Drop Extra-Inning Heartbreaker to Blue Crabs, 4-3 - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Legends' Bats Explode in 11-8 Slugfest Win over Ghost Peppers - Lexington Legends
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Gastonia Ghost Peppers Stories
- Peppers Hang on against Hawks, Securing First Home Sweep of Season
- Guthrie Ties ALPB Record with 6-Hit Performance
- Reinheimer Plays in Franchise-High 300th Game
- Blanton Becomes Gastonia's All-Time Strikeout Leader
- Crook, O'Grady & Snyder Head to Mexican League

