Track Record: When the Rays drafted Santana with a supplemental first-round pick in 2023, they knew that he’d likely be challenged by an assignment to full-season ball. The 19-year-old just isn’t as physical as most of the players in the Carolina League. To his credit, he managed to demonstrate excellent survival skills. Despite a lack of power, he uses his barrel control to put together a solid season while finishing second in the league with 51 stolen bases.
Scouting Report: Santana is a twitchy athlete with excellent body control. He glides across the dirt. He’s mastered leaving his feet to field the ball and then quickly popping back up to throw. But his range can continue to improve, as too often he just missed making excellent plays in 2024. As a hitter, Santana has to get stronger. A skinny switch-hitter, he hits the ball roughly as hard as Chandler Simpson. He’s a plus runner, but he can’t match Simpson’s speed and knack for infield hits. Santana does have solid contact skills, but he projects as a bottom-of-the-order hitter whose glove carves out his spot in the lineup.
The Future: The Rays are collecting well-above-average gloves at shortstop. Santana will be following right on Gregory Barrios’ heels. In the old minor league system, he’d likely be just getting ready for full-season ball, but having spent a whole year in the Carolina League, he’s set for High-A Bowling Green.