Seth A. Blair (born March 3, 1989) is an American professional baseballpitcher who is currently a free agent. Prior to playing professionally, he played college baseball for the Arizona State Sun Devils. Standing at 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 m) and 185 pounds (84 kg), he throws and hits right-handed.
The St. Louis Cardinals selected Blair in the first round, with the 46th overall selection, of the draft. Blair signed with the Cardinals on July 30, 2010.[10] In 2011, he had a 6–3 win–loss record with a 5.29 ERA for the Quad Cities River Bandits of the Single–AMidwest League. The team dismissed Blair during their postseason for violating team rules.[11]
Out of spring training in 2012, the Cardinals assigned Blair to the Palm Beach Cardinals of the High–AFlorida State League. In April 2012, following pain experienced while throwing, Blair was diagnosed with an enchondroma, a benign tumor in a joint of his middle finger on his pitching hand.[11][12] He returned to Palm Beach late in the season, recording a 5.40 ERA in 19+2⁄3 innings.[11] After the 2012 season, the Cardinals assigned him to the Surprise Saguaros of the Arizona Fall League, where he had a 2–1 record, a 2.25 ERA, 22 strikeouts, and 14 walks in 20 innings pitched.[3][13] Blair pitched for the Springfield Cardinals of the Double-ATexas League in 2013, where he had a 5.07 ERA in 22 starts, but finished strong in his final seven starts. He was assigned to Springfield to start the 2014 season.[14] Blair was released by the Cardinals on April 30, 2015, and left baseball.
San Diego Padres
Blair returned to baseball in 2019, signing a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres on May 24, 2019. He played for the Lake Elsinore Storm of the High–A California League, compiling a 4.11 ERA with 47 strikeouts across 17 games. Blair was released by the Padres organization on August 9.[15]
Boston Red Sox
During the COVID-19 pandemic, he opened up his backyard training site for other pitchers.[16] On August 7, 2020, Blair signed a minor league contract with the Boston Red Sox and was added to their 60-man player pool.[17]
On December 22, 2020, Blair was re-signed by the Red Sox to a minor-league deal for the 2021 season,[18] and was selected as a non-roster invitee to major league spring training in 2021.[19] Blair began the 2021 season in Triple-A with the Worcester Red Sox, and was reassigned to the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs in late May.[20] Overall during 2021, he appeared in 32 games (one start) compiling a 3.10 ERA, 3–2 record, and two saves while striking out 51 batters in 40+2⁄3 innings.[20] Blair elected free agency following the season on November 7, 2021.[21]
Tampa Bay Rays
On March 11, 2022, Blair signed a minor league contract with the Tampa Bay Rays.[22][23] Blair made 21 appearances for the Triple-A Durham Bulls, battling to an 0-3 record and a 7.61 ERA with 17 strikeouts in 23+2⁄3 innings pitched. On July 8, he was released by the Rays organization.
Toros de Tijuana
On July 31, 2023, Blair signed with the Toros de Tijuana of the Mexican League.[24] In 4 games for Tijuana, he recorded a 2.70 ERA with 2 strikeouts across 3+1⁄3 innings of work.[25]