Carlos Santana (baseball)
Encyclopedia
Carlos Santana is a Dominican Republic
professional baseball player
, who is currently a catcher
and first baseman
with the Cleveland Indians
of Major League Baseball
's American League
.
in 2005. He began his pro career with the Gulf Coast Dodgers, the rookie level minor league
affiliate. He played 32 games in 2005 and batted .295. In addition to catcher, he played 2B
, 3B
, and the outfield
.
On July 26, 2008, he was traded with John Meloan to the Indians for Casey Blake
.
In 2008 with the Akron Aeros
, Inland Empire 66ers of San Bernardino
, and Kinston Indians
, Santana had 117 RBI
.
Entering the 2009 season, Santana was named the top prospect in the Cleveland Indians
organization by Baseball America
. He was also ranked as the organization's top prospect in 2010. He was named the Indians' 2009 Minor League Player of the Year (receiving the "Lou Boudreau
Award").
Santana was called up to the Indians on June 11, 2010 to make his major league debut, after hitting .316 with 13 home runs and 51 RBI in 57 games for the Triple-A Columbus Clippers
. He hit in third spot in the batting order
, making him the first Tribe player to debut hitting third since Jim Norris in 1977, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
On June 12, 2010, in his second MLB game, Santana recorded his first Major League hit, a 2-out, 2-RBI double off Washington Nationals pitcher J.D. Martin in the second inning. In his next at-bat, Santana hit his first Major League home run to right field in the bottom of the fifth inning.
On August 2, 2010 Santana was injured in a game at Fenway Park
while defending home plate against Red Sox baserunner Ryan Kalish
. While attempting to dislodge the ball from Santana's mitt, Kalish slid into his left knee, bending it to the side. Santana was unable to leave the field and had to be removed on a cart. Test revealed that Santana has a high grade strain of his LCL and a hyperextension of his left knee. The injury ended Santana's rookie season.
Santana started a triple play against the White Sox on April 3, 2011 with a diving catch off of an Alexei Ramírez
bunt.
On April 29, 2011 Santana hit his first major league Grand Slam, a walk-off to beat the Detroit Tigers 9-5.
Carlos finished 2011 with 27 home runs. Carlos finished sixth in Major league baseball with 97 walks and has changed his batting stance.
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
professional baseball player
Professional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
, who is currently a catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
and first baseman
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
with the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
of Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
's American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
.
Professional career
Santana signed with the Los Angeles DodgersLos Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
in 2005. He began his pro career with the Gulf Coast Dodgers, the rookie level minor league
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
affiliate. He played 32 games in 2005 and batted .295. In addition to catcher, he played 2B
Second baseman
Second base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base...
, 3B
Third baseman
A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run...
, and the outfield
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
.
On July 26, 2008, he was traded with John Meloan to the Indians for Casey Blake
Casey Blake
William Casey Blake is a Major League Baseball third baseman who is currently a free agent.Blake previously played with the Toronto Blue Jays, Minnesota Twins, Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians and Los Angeles Dodgers. He had alternated between playing at third base and first base before...
.
In 2008 with the Akron Aeros
Akron Aeros
The Akron Aeros are a minor league baseball team based in Akron, Ohio, USA. The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians.The Aeros play in Canal Park, located in downtown Akron, which seats 9,097 fans...
, Inland Empire 66ers of San Bernardino
Inland Empire 66ers of San Bernardino
The Inland Empire 66ers of San Bernardino are a minor league baseball team in San Bernardino, California, United States. They are the Class A – Advanced affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and play in the California League...
, and Kinston Indians
Kinston Indians
The Kinston Indians were a minor league baseball team of the Carolina League , and the High-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. They were located in Kinston, North Carolina, and were named for their parent club...
, Santana had 117 RBI
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
.
Entering the 2009 season, Santana was named the top prospect in the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
organization by Baseball America
Baseball America
Baseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
. He was also ranked as the organization's top prospect in 2010. He was named the Indians' 2009 Minor League Player of the Year (receiving the "Lou Boudreau
Lou Boudreau
Louis "Lou" Boudreau was an American Major League Baseball player and manager. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1970...
Award").
Santana was called up to the Indians on June 11, 2010 to make his major league debut, after hitting .316 with 13 home runs and 51 RBI in 57 games for the Triple-A Columbus Clippers
Columbus Clippers
The Columbus Clippers are a minor league baseball team based in Columbus, Ohio. The team plays in the International League and is the Triple-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. The team is owned by the government of Franklin County, Ohio....
. He hit in third spot in the batting order
Batting order (baseball)
The batting order, or batting lineup, in baseball is the sequence in which the nine members of the offense take their turns in batting against the pitcher. The batting order is the main component of a team's offensive strategy. The batting order is set by the manager before the game begins...
, making him the first Tribe player to debut hitting third since Jim Norris in 1977, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
On June 12, 2010, in his second MLB game, Santana recorded his first Major League hit, a 2-out, 2-RBI double off Washington Nationals pitcher J.D. Martin in the second inning. In his next at-bat, Santana hit his first Major League home run to right field in the bottom of the fifth inning.
On August 2, 2010 Santana was injured in a game at Fenway Park
Fenway Park
Fenway Park is a baseball park near Kenmore Square in Boston, Massachusetts. Located at 4 Yawkey Way, it has served as the home ballpark of the Boston Red Sox baseball club since it opened in 1912, and is the oldest Major League Baseball stadium currently in use. It is one of two "classic"...
while defending home plate against Red Sox baserunner Ryan Kalish
Ryan Kalish
Ryan Michael Kalish is an American professional baseball outfielder in the Boston Red Sox organization.A standout high school baseball and football player, he was drafted by the Red Sox in 2006...
. While attempting to dislodge the ball from Santana's mitt, Kalish slid into his left knee, bending it to the side. Santana was unable to leave the field and had to be removed on a cart. Test revealed that Santana has a high grade strain of his LCL and a hyperextension of his left knee. The injury ended Santana's rookie season.
Santana started a triple play against the White Sox on April 3, 2011 with a diving catch off of an Alexei Ramírez
Alexei Ramírez
Alexei Fernando Ramírez is a Major League Baseball second baseman and shortstop for the Chicago White Sox...
bunt.
On April 29, 2011 Santana hit his first major league Grand Slam, a walk-off to beat the Detroit Tigers 9-5.
Carlos finished 2011 with 27 home runs. Carlos finished sixth in Major league baseball with 97 walks and has changed his batting stance.