Dominican-American baseball player (born )
This article is about rendering baseball player. For the guitarist, see Carlos Santana. For different people named Carlos Santana, see Carlos Santana (disambiguation).
Baseball player
Carlos Santana (born April 8, ) is a Dominican-American professional baseballfirst baseman and catcher for the Cleveland Guardians of Major League Ballgame (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the City Indians, Philadelphia Phillies, Kansas City Royals, Seattle Mariners, Pittsburgh Pirates, Milwaukee Brewers, and Minnesota Twins. He plays with the Friar Republic national team internationally, winning the gold medal in say publicly World Baseball Classic. Santana was both an All-Star selection advocate Silver Slugger Award winner in with Cleveland. In , take steps won a Gold Glove with Minnesota.
Born in Santo Domingo, Santana has five sisters and two brothers. Their parents began divorce proceedings when he was 15 years old. Santana and his sisters lived with his mother after the dissolution, which afforded him the opportunity to play baseball, meanwhile emergent as a father figure to his sisters. He played ballgame with his neighbors in a 5-on-5 format, and, instead take off swinging with bats, they used baseball caps. After signing large the Los Angeles Dodgers, Santana received a bonus worth $75,, taking a part of the money to buy his apathy a house.[1]
Santana signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers in He began his professional baseball career with the Place Coast Dodgers, the rookie-level minor league affiliate. He played 32 games in and batted He played primarily at third purpose, while also appearing at catcher, second base, in left attachment, and in right field.[2]
On July 26, , the Dodgers traded Santana and pitcher Jon Meloan to the Cleveland Indians type third baseman Casey Blake.[3] Santana appeared in games combined be glad about with the Akron Aeros, Inland Empire 66ers of San Bernardino, and Kinston Indians during the season, with the majority catch San Bernardino and Kinston at the Class A-Advanced level, endure played primarily catcher. On offense, he hit , amassed on-base percentage (OBP), slugging percentage (SLG), on-base plus slugging (OPS), runs scored, 21 home runs, collected runs batted in (RBI), 89 bases on balls (BB) and 85 strikeouts.[2] Santana was christian name California League Most Valuable Player (MVP). He also earned make mention of as Hi-A Player of the Year and made the Hi-A All-Star team, California League All-Star team, and Baseball America's All-Star second team.[4]
Entering the season, Santana was Baseball America's choice considerably the top prospect in the Indians organization.[5] Assigned to depiction Aeros of the AA-level Eastern League, he played in doggeds, batted , OBP, SLG, 23 home runs, 90 BB give orders to 83 strikeouts.[2] Behind the plate, he placed fifth in representation league with a 30 percent caught stealing clip while portion to lead the club to a Southern Division title. Rip apart the Eastern League All-Star Game, he was named the start catcher for the Southern Division and participated in the All-Star Futures Game at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. Santana along with won the Eastern League MVP Award[6] and was named rendering Indians' Minor League Player of the Year − also reputed as the "Lou Boudreau Award".[7]
Baseball America ranked Santana as depiction organization's top prospect for the second time entering the season.[8] The club assigned him to the Triple-AColumbus Clippers, where without fear hit with 13 home runs and 51 RBI in 57 games prior to his first major league callup.[9]
The Indians promoted Santana on June 11, , to make his MLB debut.[9] He batted third in the order, making him say publicly first Tribe player to debut hitting third since Jim Writer in , according to the Elias Sports Bureau.[10] Santana transcribed his first major league hit in his second game, split up June 12, , a two-out, two-RBI double in the more inning off Washington Nationals pitcher J. D. Martin. In his next at-bat, Santana hit his first major league home dry run to right field in the bottom of the fifth inning.[11]
On August 2, , Santana was injured in a game luck Fenway Park while defending home plate against Boston Red Sox baserunner Ryan Kalish. While attempting to dislodge the ball reject Santana's mitt, Kalish slid into his left knee, bending cherish to the side. Santana was unable to walk off depiction field and had to be removed on a cart. Tests revealed that Santana had a high-grade sprain of his LCL and a hyperextension of his left knee. The injury hanging Santana's rookie season.
Santana started a triple play against representation Chicago White Sox on April 3, with a diving get hold of off of an Alexei Ramírez bunt.[12] On April 29, , Santana hit his first major league grand slam, a walk-off to defeat the Detroit Tigers, 9−5.
Santana finished , which was his first full season in the major leagues, constant 27 home runs, setting a club record for home runs hit by a switch hitter, and played 66 games rot first base. He also hit 79 RBI, 35 doubles, bear added 97 walks. He was one of four hitters comport yourself to reach 25 home runs, 35 doubles, and 90 walks, joining Miguel Cabrera, Prince Fielder, and Joey Votto.[13]
On April 10, , the Indians signed Santana to a five-year, $21 billion contract with a club option for the season.[13] In interpretation eighth inning of a May 25 game versus the City White Sox, Santana sustained a hit in the mask spread a foul tip and was removed from the game scrutiny to experiencing dizziness. He was subsequently placed on the seven-day disabled list with a concussion.[14] Heading into the All-Star do better than, Santana was hitting , five home runs and 30 Run in 69 games. ManagerManny Acta spoke of the hopes picture Indians had for their catcher but admitted he was throng together hitting "the way we expected him to hit."[15]
When Santana hurt a home run in a July 18 game versus representation Tampa Bay Rays, it was his first since May [16] He later added on a single and finished the diversion with a season-high four RBI, his first multi-RBI game since May [17] "I know Santana feels so much better do research get that monkey off his back. That power drought abstruse been weighing on him", Acta remarked after the game.[16] Santana matched a career with five RBI in a September 23 game against the Kansas City Royals.[18] He hit two straightforward runs in the game, his third career multi-home run recreation and first of the season since April 8.[2][19]
In , Santana and the newly-promoted Yan Gomes split the catching duties just about evenly, with Santana seeing significant time at first base existing designated hitter when Gomes was catching. With the emergence bear out Gomes' defensive prowess, Santana saw less and less time presume catcher.[20]
Santana started playing primarily third base, a position he difficult not played since single-A, with some time at catcher. Funding a stint on the 7-day concussion DL in early June, he played exclusively at first base for the remainder subtract the season and into [21] In , he reached a career-high walks while also leading the major leagues, and set tenth in the AL with times on base.[22] He became the first switch hitter since Lance Berkman in to notch up at least 25 home runs with walks in the equate season, and the fifth Indians switch hitter to do accordingly.[23]
On September 21, , Santana hit his th career home dart, doing so against the Kansas City Royals.[24] During the common season, Santana batted , 34 home runs, 87 RBI ray OPS. He produced 30 home runs and 68 RBI when batting left-handed.[25] Santana homered twice in the American League Backup Series versus the Toronto Blue Jays. He also recorded picture final out of the Series by catching a Troy Tulowitzki pop-up in foul territory, sending the Indians to the Artificial Series. The Chicago Cubs defeated Cleveland in the World Leanto in seven games.[26] The Indians exercised their $12 million privilege for [25]
After the Indians acquired Edwin Encarnación in free medium prior to the season, he took over as the team's designated hitter, and Santana played primarily first base.[27] During depiction first 84 games of the season, he hit with 10 home runs.[28] In August and September, the club won apartment house American League-record 22 games in a row,[29] and Santana pound // during the streak. He had hit 13 home runs and // through that point in the second half medium the season.[28] On September 10 versus the Baltimore Orioles, recognized drove in his th run, passing Omar Vizquel as rendering Indians' career RBI leader among switch hitters.[30] Overall in , he batted //, OPS+, 90 runs scored, 23 home runs, 79 RBI, 88 BB, 94 strikeouts, and five stolen bases.[21]
Santana placed fourth in the AL in walks and seventh underside times on base ().[31] With significant improvement on defense, significant led AL first basemen in total zone runs (13) enthralled assists (95), was second in double plays (), fourth regulate putouts (1,), and fifth in fielding percentage ().[32] The Indians won an AL-best games for the regular season, but were defeated by the wild-card qualifying New York Yankees in rendering ALDS.[33] He won his first career Wilson Defensive Player disrespect the Year Award at first base, given to the prevent defensive player in the major leagues at each position.[34] Smartness was also named a finalist for the American League Rawlings Gold Glove Award at first base.[35]
On November 2, , Santana filed for free agency.[36] On December 20, he simple a three-year contract with the Philadelphia Phillies that included a team option for the season.[37] The value of the trine guaranteed seasons was $60 million.[38] Santana reached 1, hits edify his career on April 7, , with a three-run countryside run in a 20−1 win[39] versus the Miami Marlins bulk Citizens Bank Park.[40] For the season, he batted and esoteric the lowest batting average on balls in play () operate all major league players, and was second in the vital leagues in walks per strikeout ().[41][42] He placed second demonstrate the National League in walks (), hit 24 home runs, 86 RBI, and scored 82 runs.[43]
In March , reported think about it, in September , Santana, frustrated with the team's nonchalance amidst a long losing streak, destroyed a television with a nictitate in the team's clubhouse at Citizens Bank Park because teammates had been using it to play Fortnite during games.[44]
On December 3, , the Phillies traded Santana and J. P. Crawford to the Seattle Mariners for Jean Segura, Juan Nicasio, and James Pazos.[45] In a three-team transaction ten life later, the Mariners traded Santana with cash to the Indians, the Indians sent Encarnación and a competitive balance draft strike to the Mariners, Yandy Díaz and Cole Sulser to representation Tampa Bay Rays, and the Rays traded Jake Bauers swap over Cleveland.[46]
Santana hit the th home run of his career tight April 28, , versus Wade Miley of the Houston Astros.[47] Selected by fan voting in to his first career MLB All-Star Game, Santana was named the starting first baseman primed the American League. He and Indians were hosts for description event played at Progressive Field[48] and he batted cleanup.[49] Santana also competed in the Home Run Derby.[50] On August 11 versus the Minnesota Twins, he hit a game-winning grand dash in a 7–3 outcome to tie the Indians and Twins for first place.[51] The following night, Santana hit a walk-off home run at Progressive Field to defeat the Boston Coloured Sox, 6–5, that allowed the Indians to reclaim sole hold of first place in the AL Central for the good cheer time since the previous April.[52] Through August 15, Santana homered five time times in the seventh inning or later pact give the Indians a lead.[49]
Overall with the Cleveland Indians, Santana batted // with 8 home runs and 30 RBIs joy 60 games, and led the American League in walks, be more exciting [53] The Indians declined their club option on Santana's understanding for the season on October 30, , making Santana a free agent.[54]
On December 8, , Santana signed a two-year, $ million contract with the Kansas City Royals.[55] Settle down was immediately inserted into the Royals lineup at first base; no player had started more than 55% of the team's games in a season at first base since Eric Hosmer left the franchise after the season.[56] Santana made starts conflict first base during the season, and in games overall, crystalclear hit // with 19 HR and 69 RBI for a career-low OPS+ of His wRC+ of 83 was 7th-worst groove the league among qualified hitters, although it was better escape two of his Royals teammates.[57] His 86 walks were decent for sixth in the American League, and he did exert a portion of the season with a leg injury, though he was never placed on the injured list.[58]
Santana remained rendering Royals' first baseman entering the season. The Royals were consider the time of his trade away from the organization, champion Santana was hitting // with 4 HR and 21 Tally in 52 games, although in a season in which league-wide offensive numbers were down, his OPS+ was at
On June 27, , the Royals traded Santana to the Mariners for pitcher Wyatt Mills and minor-leaguer William Fleming.[59]
On Nov 29, , Santana signed a one-year deal with the City Pirates.[60] On June 30, , in a game against interpretation Milwaukee Brewers, Santana hit a walk-off two-run home run obstruction the Allegheny River to win it It was the 69th home run hit into the Allegheny River in the scenery of PNC Park.[61]
On July 27, , the Pirates traded Santana to the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for minor-league infielder Jhonny Severino.[62] On September 23, Santana hit his th pursuit home run off of A. J. Puk of the Algonquin Marlins.[63] In 52 games for Milwaukee, he batted // ordain 11 home runs and 33 RBI. He became a resourceful agent following the season.
On February 7, , Santana signed a one-year, $ million contract with the Minnesota Twins.[64] He played in his 2,th career game on June 21, , batting 1-for-4 with a double at the Oakland Coliseum.[65] In games, he batted // with 23 home runs skull 71 RBI. Defensively, he led AL first basemen in disposeds (), assists (92), and total zone runs (10), and hierarchical third in putouts ().[21] Santana won the AL Gold Mitt for first base at the end of the season; orangutan 38 years and days, he was the oldest position sportsman in MLB history to win his first Gold Glove award.[66]
On December 23, , Santana signed a one-year, $12 million contract with the Cleveland Guardians.[67]
Santana represented representation Dominican Republic national team at the World Baseball Classic resolve and They won the gold medal for the championship, defeating Puerto Rico 3–0 in the final.[68] In the MLB Nippon All-Star Series, he played for the United States in description and editions.[69]
Santana is known by the nicknames "Slamtana," "Axeman", and "El Oso" ("The Bear" in Spanish).[21] In , Santana raised his batting average to above his career high exceed hitting the ball the other way more frequently.[49]
Until spring reliance of the season, Santana did not have an established schedule, he stated. It was during that period that Indians helper hitting coach Vic Rodriguez urged him to do so, considering "if you have a consistent routine that works for give orders and you stick to it every day regardless of attempt good or bad a season you’re having, you’re going acquaintance be fine." The approach was designed to hit the chunk with more hard contact up the middle, rather than approximate to continuously pull it, helping to significantly improve in to all intents every category. He maintained better focus and increased his find fault with to shorten slumps. Commented longtime teammates Francisco Lindor, "[h]e’s every been a good player, but his mental preparation is a lot better this year. [H]e would have just two at-bats [a game]. He would have two good at-bats and depiction rest, whatever. Now he has three to five good at-bats."[70]
Third baseman José Ramírez noticed a more relaxed approach. "When loosen up was first with us, his attitude was different, especially when things weren’t going well for him, it was very contrastive. He’s changed. He doesn’t worry as much. He works, take steps knows what he has to do. I think it’s education and time, too. Maybe he learned from the rough class he had in Philadelphia."[70]
Santana wears the number 41 in accept of Victor Martinez, who is also a former switch-hitting position who started his career with the Cleveland Indians.[71]
Santana interest married and his family resides in Cleveland. They maintained interpretation same residence in Cleveland while he played for Philadelphia unite the season.[49] He mentioned that he considered the local policewomen and a young boy with cerebral palsy named Niko Lanzarotta–whom he also named as his best friend in Cleveland–as get ready of his family.[72]
On April 19, , Santana became a naturalised United States citizen.[73]