Born05/01/1992 in San Pedro De Macoris, Dominican Republic
ProfileHt.: 6'2" / Wt.: 160 / Bats: R / Throws: R
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
Santana zoomed up the Yankees' prospect list in 2011 when he challenged Dante Bichette Jr. for the title of best prospect on the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League team, even though his season ended early when he broke his right ankle and damaged ligaments. The injury kept Santana back in extended spring training to open 2012, but the Yankees believed he was healthy and plugged him into center field and the middle of the lineup at short-season Staten Island. For whatever reason, though, he never got going in 2012. Like many other young Yankees hitters, he struggled with offspeed pitches after feasting on fastballs in Rookie ball. He didn't make consistent adjustments against breaking balls, and the college pitchers of the New York-Penn League kept feeding them to him. Santana's raw power is evident in batting practice, but he lost confidence and rarely drove the ball with any consistency last year. His plus speed had not returned in full, though he remained in center field all season. Club officials expect him to move to right field eventually anyway to take advantage of his plus arm. It was a lost year for the 20-year-old, who has fallen behind the development curve. He'll need a strong spring to jump to full-season ball in 2013.
Signed for just $150,000 in November 2008, Santana made his U.S. debut in 2011 after spending two seasons in the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League. He ranked right behind Dante Bichette as the No. 2 prospect in the Gulf Coast League, ranking third in the league in slugging (.568) and fourth in homers (nine) despite missing the final two weeks after breaking his ankle in two places and damaging ligaments on Aug. 13. Wiry, lean and athletic, Santana could wind up with above-average or better tools across the board. His best present tool is his arm, which rates at least a 70 and earns some 80 grades on the 20-80 scouting scale. He's at least a plus runner and he plays an above-average center field. Santana's offensive ceiling is considerable, thanks to excellent bat speed, strength and loft in his swing and a willingness to use the whole field. He showed plus power as the season went along, gaining confidence as his pitch recognition improved. He does have problems making contact against good breaking balls, though he made encouraging adjustments. Santana is one level behind Mason Williams and could move to right field if they wind up on the same roster. The Yankees expect Santana will be healthy enough for an assignment to Staten Island in June.
Minor League Top Prospects
For a $150,000 investment in November 2008, the Yankees signed Santana, whose raw tools compare favorably with anyone's in their system. After distinguishing himself in the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League last year, Santana stood out at the plate and in center field in his U.S. debut. His season ended abruptly with a nasty injury as he broke his ankle in two places and tore some ligaments sliding into second base on Aug. 13. Santana was one of the best athletes in the GCL. He has a wiry build, good bat speed and plus power. His hands work well at the plate and he has a solid understanding of how pitchers try to attack him. He struggled early in the season against offspeed pitches before making some adjustments that got him ready to hit earlier and helped him recognize breaking pitches better. While Santana was one of the better hitters in the league, his best tools are in the field, where he has a chance to be a plus defender in center. His arm is one of the strongest in the minors, grading from 70-80 on the 20-80 scouting scale. He's also a plus-plus runner, giving him plenty of range and making him a threat on the bases.
Best Tools List
Rated Best Outfield Arm in the New York Yankees in 2012
Scouting Reports
Background: Signed for just $150,000 in November 2008, Santana hit .322/.440/.533 in 2010 in the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League, leading it with 10 home runs. For an encore, he ranked right behind Dante Bichette as the No. 2 prospect in the Gulf Coast League, ranking third in the league in slugging (.568) and fourth in homers (nine) despite missing the final two weeks after breaking his ankle in two places and damaging ligaments on Aug. 13. Scouting Report: Wiry, lean and athletic, Santana could wind up with above-average or better tools across the board. His best present tool is his arm, which rates at least a 70 and earns some 80 grades on the 20-80 scouting scale. He's at least a plus runner and he plays an above-average center field. Santana's offensive ceiling is considerable, thanks to excellent bat speed, strength and loft in his swing and a willingness to use the whole field. He showed plus power as the season went along, gaining confidence as his pitch recognition improved. He does have problems making contact against good breaking balls, though he made encouraging adjustments. The Future: Santana is one level behind Mason Williams and could move to right field if they wind up on the same roster. His recovery from his ankle injury could complicate matters but the Yankees expect Santana will be healed for an assignment to Staten Island in June.
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