Clevelan Santeliz

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Chicago White Sox #9 prospect in 2010
  Animated on the mound and armed with a fastball/slider combination that can be eyepopping, Santeliz is hard to miss. He served as a set-up man for Fernando Hernandez at the start of the season in Birmingham, then converted 10 of 11 save opportunities in the final month. He pitched well in the Venezuelan League during the winter. Santeliz models himself after fellow Venezuelan Francisco Rodriguez, daring hitters to dig in against him. His fastball sits in the low 90s but can climb to 95-96 mph. When he's on, he shows a plus slider with good depth and has the ability to locate his two pitches in the strike zone. The challenge for the White Sox is to help Santeliz stay under control without losing his flair. He still has trouble throwing strikes at times, and his slider lacks consistency. He never developed much of a changeup or much trust in the pitch. He hasn't had any serious injuries, but he has had trouble handling a full workload as a starter or reliever. The Sox would like to use Santeliz as a starter, but he believes he's a closer. Better suited to be a setup man unless he significantly improves his command, he'll open 2010 in Triple-A and could make his major league debut later in the year.
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  Ranked Chicago White Sox #14 prospect in 2009
  Santeliz has gone 7-22, 5.28 in three years in the United States, yet the White Sox didn't have to think long about whether he was worth protecting on their 40-man roster this offseason. Some club officials believe he has the strongest arm in the system. Outside of a disastrous stint at Great Falls in 2006, Santeliz had been a reliever throughout his pro career. But after Buddy Bell replaced Alan Regier as farm director, he moved Santeliz from the bullpen in Double-A to the rotation in high Class A. Santeliz's fastball has gained velocity as his body has matured the last two years, and he now works from 90-96 mph. He also shows the makings of a plus slider, though the pitch needs much more consistency. There are mixed reports on his changeup, though Chicago thinks it can become an effective pitch for him. While Santeliz has a live arm, he throws with effort, doesn't repeat his delivery well and has erratic control and command. He can get too emotional at times. Shoulder soreness knocked him out for all of May, but he had no further issues after reporting to Winston-Salem. Santeliz still has a way to go with his development, but when he's on, he flashes front-of-the-rotation stuff. He'll return to Double-A in 2009, this time as a starter.