Cleveland Indians Prospect
C Carlos Santana
Born: 04/08/1986 - Height: 5'11" - Weight: 190 - Bats: Switch - Throws: Right
We have recently hit a pretty productive vein of young catchers and Indian's trade of Victor Martinez to the Red Sox last year brings yet another one center stage in Cleveland. Santana is currently the #1 prospect in the Indians system and Fantistics ranks him as the 11th best hitting prospect in Baseball. When camps open later this week, all eyes in Goodyear (Arizona) will be on Santana as he makes his bid to open the season as the Indians #1 catcher.
The Dodgers signed switch-hitting Carlos Santana out of the Dominican Republic in 2004 as an 18 year old. He came to the organization as a 3B/OF but the Dodgers started his conversion to catcher in the 2006 offseason. That black hole you see in his stat box in 2007 can be attributed in large part to the move behind the plate and life in the Midwest League. He rebounded in 2008 to win MVP honors in the California League despite being traded to the Indians for Casey Blake and $2M.
Carlos has an efficient and powerful swing with a knack for solid contact. He is willing to take a walk and does not chase. His strong two-strike approach has kept his K rates in line. Last year in AA Santana continued his ascend by once again posting a highly favorable.413 OBP and .530 SLG%. These numbers are more than healthy, and he's actually walked more than he has struck out the last two seasons (EYE>1). Whenever you see and EYE above 1 and a +500 Slug in two consecutive upper level minor league campaigns, you know we're talking about something special.
When you consider the eternal position scarcity at the catchers position, and you combine power with the ability to get on base (Runs Scored)....we really have to temper our excitement and consider that Santana is a converted INF/OF. We need to consider this with the fact that catchers have the biggest learning curve of any position player.
Offensively Santana is probably ready for the majors and he can be a fantasy asset regardless of position but he has a chance to be an All-Star as a catcher. What's missing is his finishing school for the position. We'll find out if he'll get enough of it this spring.
Long Term Fantasy Grade - A
2010 Projection: Assuming he starts the season with the team or is called up in late April- 410 AB .285 BA / 74 Runs / 18 HRs / 78 RBI / 5 SBs / $8 Expected Auction Value
Fantistics senior analyst Lou Blasi covers over 150 prospects every year in our Prospect Central area. Register for the 2010 season today.
Prospect Analyst David Regan ranks the top prospects throughout the season.
February 17th
Hi Folks,
Here's a look at a few key technical indicators that are shaping our 2010 catcher projections. These along with other player notes can be found in the notes section in the player projections software. In no particular order:
Molina, Bengie Slowest player in baseball, RS% overstated in '09, will decline in '10..as will overall numbers depending on Buster Posey's learning curve.
Barajas, Rod 2nd Half fader. Doesn't score many runs and RBI% from '09 is not sustainable based on Batting Average.
Martinez, Victor Excellent EYE (1.01), Fenway park indicators favor an uptick in performance in '10
Pierzynski, A.J. Lucky BHIP%, makes him a candidate to disappoint in BA this season
Posada, Jorge Yankee stadium dimensions aid his ~200 points Home/Away SLG split
Laird, Gerald Poor XBH% (7%), but much improved EYE (.57), not much of a fantasy consideration, but BA expected to rise
Mauer, Joe BA expected to decrease, based on +20 BHIP.
Doumit, Ryan Wrist injury hampered season. Bouce back expected
Ruiz, Carlos Excellent EYE (1.21) and solid XBH% (11.2) makes him a sleeper candidate at his position.
Napoli, Mike Decent source of power at C position, but poor EYE (.39) makes him a risk in all of the other Roto categories.
Montero, Miguel Monero increased his contact rate considerably in the 2H of '09 (12/43/.316), BHIP was inflated for a slow footed catcher however
Hundley, Nick Poor EYE (.37) hurts his progress.
Soto, Geovany Unlucky BHIP cost him 40-50 points in BA, bounce back expected
Shoppach, Kelly Unlucky BHIP (.218) when combined with solid 22.6 LD%, cost him 40+ in BA
Wieters, Matt Wieters improved considerably in the 2H, however he's not going to play like Mike Piazza in '10. He'll spend most of the year working on his EYE (.33) and average XBH% 7.1
Martin, Russell Huge 3 YR drop in XBH% (10 to 5.1) indicates potential banned supplement user. Possible rebound but puzzling decline.
Baker, John 9.1% XBH, makes him one of the better up and coming catchers in the NL.
McCann, Brian Patience @ plate declined in '09 and so did production (.65 FPI). XBH% (11.7) still top among C position.
Saltalamacchia, Jarrod Poor plate discipline (31% K rate), swings at too many pitches outside of zone with minimal contact. Time is running out.
Suzuki, Kurt Decent XBH% (9.3) make him a 20/80/.280 candidate at a weak position.
Iannetta, Chris Struggled against LHP and on Road, Poor contact rate makes him a risk or unlikely to breakout.
