Blake Lalli


Blake Thomas Lalli is an American former professional baseball catcher and first baseman, former manager of the Kane County Cougars, and current manager of the Jackson Generals. He has also played in MLB for the Chicago Cubs, Milwaukee Brewers, and Atlanta Braves, and was a member of the Arizona Diamondbacks organization.

Career

Amateur

Lalli graduated from Pine-Richland High School in Gibsonia, Pennsylvania, in 2001. He attended Gardner-Webb University from 2002 through 2006, where he played for the school's baseball team. Lalli was named to the All-Atlantic Sun Conference's first team as a third baseman in 2005 and as a catcher in 2006. In 2005, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Harwich Mariners of the Cape Cod Baseball League.

Chicago Cubs

Undrafted out of college, Lalli signed with the Chicago Cubs as a free agent in 2006. He was named a Southern League All-Star in 2009, 2010, and 2011. The Cubs promoted Lalli to MLB on May 18, 2012, and he made his MLB debut that day. He became the first GWU alumni to appear in MLB.

Oakland Athletics

On August 27, 2012, the Athletics acquired Lalli from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for catcher Anthony Recker.

Milwaukee Brewers

On November 14, 2012, the Milwaukee Brewers signed Lalli to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. On April 9, 2013, Lalli's contract was purchased and he was added to the Major League roster by the Brewers. He was designated for assignment on September 19, 2013 and became a free agent on October 1.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Lalli signed a minor league deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks in October 2013. He became a minor league free agent after the 2014 season and on November 26, 2014, he signed a minor league deal to return with the team.

Atlanta Braves

On September 11, 2016, Lalli was called up from AAA Gwinnett Braves to the Atlanta Braves. He was released on May 13, 2017.

Second Stint With Diamondbacks

On June 7, 2017, Lalli signed a minor league deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Retirement

For the 2018 season, Lalli was named the manager for the Kane County Cougars, the single-A affiliate of the Diamondbacks.. After one year in the Chicago suburbs, he left to become manager of the Jackson Generals for the 2019 season.

Personal

Lalli resides in Boiling Springs, North Carolina during the baseball offseason.