Cristian Santana
| AB | 147 |
|---|---|
| AVG | .15 |
| OBP | .364 |
| SLG | .313 |
| HR | 7 |
- Full name Cristian Andres Santana
- Born 11/25/2003 in Azua, Dominican Republic
- Profile Ht.: 5'11" / Wt.: 165 / Bats: R / Throws: R
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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BA Grade: 50/Extreme
Track Record: Santana signed for a $2.95 million bonus in 2021 and set a team record for an international amateur signee. After an excellent debut in the Dominican Summer League, the Tigers decided to push him aggressively to Low-A Lakeland. It proved too much, and he still was overmatched in a return to the Florida State League in 2023.
Scouting Report: Santana’s season was sunk almost before it began. He was the worst hitter in the Florida State League in April and was just as bad in May. His swing was too steep and gave him little chance to make consistent contact. The result was way too many topped grounders and pop-ups. After the Tigers worked to flatten his swing path he hit much better in July, but he was once again lost at the plate in August. Amazingly, Santana cut his chase rate dramatically, but his inability to consistently square up pitches in the zone meant it hasn’t paid off yet. Santana draws walks and has above-average raw power but needs to make better contact. Defensively, Santana is slowing down and ended the year playing much more third base than shortstop. He has a plus arm, but his range is limited.
The Future: Santana will only be 20 for the entirety of the 2024 season, but his career already seems to be at a crossroads. He hasn’t earned a spot at High-A West Michigan, but he’s already logged 177 games with Low-A Lakeland. He’s going to have to fix his swing to have a shot at an eventual big league role.
Scouting Grades Hit: 40 | Power: 45 | Run: 45 | Field: 45 | Arm: 60 -
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme
Track Record: After making a push to increase their presence on the international market, the Tigers landed Santana for a team-record bonus of $2.95 million during the 2021 international signing period. After an impressive debut in the Dominican Summer League where he slashed .269/.421/.520 in 2021, he struggled after an aggressive promotion to Low-A Lakeland in 2022. He hit .215/.384/.374 while splitting time at second base and shortstop.
Scouting Report: Santana remains one of the Tigers' highest-ceiling position prospects as a teenager who has a solid understanding of the strike zone and developing power to potentially be an above-average hitter with above-average power. Santana has already proven to have an advanced approach at the plate, complimented by a pretty Alfonso Soirano-ish swing and mature pitch recognition. After a brutal first two months where he was bothered by an oblique injury, Santana hit .244/.411/.429 from July 1 til the end of the season. Defensively, Santana projects as a future average infielder with advanced footwork and instincts beyond his years. Santana's arm is average, but has balanced it out with his quickness, light footwork and natural ability to navigate the infield with ease.
The Future: As with many of the young prospects within the Tigers' farm system, Santana's path is going to take time to come to fruition. Still just 19 years old, the Tigers are likely to start Santana back in Lakeland for the 2023 season, and could see West Michigan the same year.
Scouting Grades: Hit: 55. Power: 55. Speed: 50. Fielding: 50. Arm: 50. -
Track Record: The Tigers persistently tracked Santana’s progress as an amateur in the Dominican Republic and signed him to a team-record $2.95 million bonus when the 2021 international signing period opened. He rewarded the club’s renewed focus on the international market by performing well in his Dominican Summer League debut, hitting .269/.421/.520 in 54 games.
Scouting Report: Santana is already showing signs of developing into a future impact bat. He has an advanced approach at the plate, mature pitch recognition and a fluid swing that leads to loads of hard contact. He posted exit velocities up to 106 mph in the DSL, an impressive number for an 18-year-old, and his swing is geared toward lifting the ball in the air. He’ll need to continue to grow into his frame to tap into more power, but the foundation is there. He projects as a future average infielder defensively with advanced footwork and instincts beyond his years. Santana’s arm is average, but his quickness and natural feel allow him to navigate the infield with ease.
The Future: Santana’s development path is going to take a long time and the Tigers don’t plan to expedite it, but he shows exciting hitting qualities.
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TRACK RECORD: The Tigers landed one of the top shortstops in the 2020-21 international class by signing Santana out of the Dominican Republic on Jan. 15, 2021.
SCOUTING REPORT: Santana, a cousin of Tigers shortstop prospect Wenceel Perez, is an advanced hitter for his age with a good chance to stay at shortstop. At 6 feet, 175 pounds, he has a quick, compact swing and a mature approach for his age, with the ability to recognize breaking balls and control the strike zone. He's mostly a line-drive hitter who has performed well in games, driving the ball well to both gaps with a chance to grow into 15-20 home run power. An average runner with a strong lower half, Santana has quick feet, good hands and an above-average arm that could tick up with more strength gains.
THE FUTURE: Santana is far away from the majors, but he has the upside to be the best shortstop the Tigers have signed out of the Dominican Republic since Willy Adames. He will make his pro debut in 2021.
Scouting Reports
-
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme
Track Record: After making a push to increase their presence on the international market, the Tigers landed Santana for a team-record bonus of $2.95 million during the 2021 international signing period. After an impressive debut in the Dominican Summer League where he slashed .269/.421/.520 in 2021, he struggled after an aggressive promotion to Low-A Lakeland in 2022. He hit .215/.384/.374 while splitting time at second base and shortstop.
Scouting Report: Santana remains one of the Tigers' highest-ceiling position prospects as a teenager who has a solid understanding of the strike zone and developing power to potentially be an above-average hitter with above-average power. Santana has already proven to have an advanced approach at the plate, complimented by a pretty Alfonso Soirano-ish swing and mature pitch recognition. After a brutal first two months where he was bothered by an oblique injury, Santana hit .244/.411/.429 from July 1 til the end of the season. Defensively, Santana projects as a future average infielder with advanced footwork and instincts beyond his years. Santana's arm is average, but has balanced it out with his quickness, light footwork and natural ability to navigate the infield with ease.
The Future: As with many of the young prospects within the Tigers' farm system, Santana's path is going to take time to come to fruition. Still just 19 years old, the Tigers are likely to start Santana back in Lakeland for the 2023 season, and could see West Michigan the same year.
Scouting Grades: Hit: 55. Power: 55. Speed: 50. Fielding: 50. Arm: 50. -
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme
Track Record: After making a push to increase their presence on the international market, the Tigers landed Santana for a team-record bonus of $2.95 million during the 2021 international signing period. After an impressive debut in the Dominican Summer League where he slashed .269/.421/.520 in 2021, he struggled after an aggressive promotion to Low-A Lakeland in 2022. He hit .215/.384/.374 while splitting time at second base and shortstop.
Scouting Report: Santana remains one of the Tigers' highest-ceiling position prospects as a teenager who has a solid understanding of the strike zone and developing power to potentially be an above-average hitter with above-average power. Santana has already proven to have an advanced approach at the plate, complimented by a pretty Alfonso Soirano-ish swing and mature pitch recognition. After a brutal first two months where he was bothered by an oblique injury, Santana hit .244/.411/.429 from July 1 til the end of the season. Defensively, Santana projects as a future average infielder with advanced footwork and instincts beyond his years. Santana's arm is average, but has balanced it out with his quickness, light footwork and natural ability to navigate the infield with ease.
The Future: As with many of the young prospects within the Tigers' farm system, Santana's path is going to take time to come to fruition. Still just 19 years old, the Tigers are likely to start Santana back in Lakeland for the 2023 season, and could see West Michigan the same year.
Scouting Grades: Hit: 55. Power: 55. Speed: 50. Fielding: 50. Arm: 50. -
BA Grade: 50/Extreme
Track Record:: The Tigers persistently tracked Santana's progress as an amateur in the Dominican Republic and signed him to a team-record $2.95 million bonus when the 2021 international signing period opened. He rewarded the club's renewed focus on the international market by performing well in his Dominican Summer League debut, hitting .269/.421/.520 in 54 games.
Scouting Report: Santana is already showing signs of developing into a future impact bat. He has an advanced approach at the plate, mature pitch recognition and a fluid swing that leads to loads of hard contact. He posted exit velocities up to 106 mph in the DSL, an impressive number for an 18-year-old, and his swing is geared toward lifting the ball in the air. He'll need to continue to grow into his frame to tap into more power, but the foundation is there. He projects as a future average infielder defensively with advanced footwork and instincts beyond his years. Santana's arm is average, but his quickness and natural feel allow him to navigate the infield with ease.
The Future: Santana's development path is going to take a long time and the Tigers don't plan to expedite it, but he shows exciting hitting qualities. -
Track Record: The Tigers persistently tracked Santana’s progress as an amateur in the Dominican Republic and signed him to a team-record $2.95 million bonus when the 2021 international signing period opened. He rewarded the club’s renewed focus on the international market by performing well in his Dominican Summer League debut, hitting .269/.421/.520 in 54 games.
Scouting Report: Santana is already showing signs of developing into a future impact bat. He has an advanced approach at the plate, mature pitch recognition and a fluid swing that leads to loads of hard contact. He posted exit velocities up to 106 mph in the DSL, an impressive number for an 18-year-old, and his swing is geared toward lifting the ball in the air. He’ll need to continue to grow into his frame to tap into more power, but the foundation is there. He projects as a future average infielder defensively with advanced footwork and instincts beyond his years. Santana’s arm is average, but his quickness and natural feel allow him to navigate the infield with ease.
The Future: Santana’s development path is going to take a long time and the Tigers don’t plan to expedite it, but he shows exciting hitting qualities.
-
TRACK RECORD: The Tigers landed one of the top shortstops in the 2020-21 international class by signing Santana out of the Dominican Republic on Jan. 15, 2021.
SCOUTING REPORT: Santana, a cousin of Tigers shortstop prospect Wenceel Perez, is an advanced hitter for his age with a good chance to stay at shortstop. At 6 feet, 175 pounds, he has a quick, compact swing and a mature approach for his age, with the ability to recognize breaking balls and control the strike zone. He's mostly a line-drive hitter who has performed well in games, driving the ball well to both gaps with a chance to grow into 15-20 home run power. An average runner with a strong lower half, Santana has quick feet, good hands and an above-average arm that could tick up with more strength gains.
THE FUTURE: Santana is far away from the majors, but he has the upside to be the best shortstop the Tigers have signed out of the Dominican Republic since Willy Adames. He will make his pro debut in 2021. -
Santana is the top target this year for the Tigers, who are expected to sign him for around $3 million. The Tigers should know him well—he's a cousin of Tigers low Class A shortstop Wenceel Perez. Santana, who trains with El Niche, is one of the top shortstops in the class, standing out for his athleticism and ability to hit in games with a short swing and an advanced offensive approach for his age. -
TRACK RECORD: The Tigers landed one of the top shortstops in the 2020-21 international class by signing Santana out of the Dominican Republic on Jan. 15, 2021.
SCOUTING REPORT: Santana, a cousin of Tigers shortstop prospect Wenceel Perez, is an advanced hitter for his age with a good chance to stay at shortstop. At 6 feet, 175 pounds, he has a quick, compact swing and a mature approach for his age, with the ability to recognize breaking balls and control the strike zone. He's mostly a line-drive hitter who has performed well in games, driving the ball well to both gaps with a chance to grow into 15-20 home run power. An average runner with a strong lower half, Santana has quick feet, good hands and an above-average arm that could tick up with more strength gains.
THE FUTURE: Santana is far away from the majors, but he has the upside to be the best shortstop the Tigers have signed out of the Dominican Republic since Willy Adames. He will make his pro debut in 2021.
Career Transactions
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Lakeland Flying Tigers transferred SS Cristian Santana to the Development List.
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SS Cristian Santana assigned to Lakeland Flying Tigers from FCL Tigers.
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SS Cristian Santana assigned to FCL Tigers from Lakeland Flying Tigers.
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Lakeland Flying Tigers activated SS Cristian Santana from the 7-day injured list.
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Lakeland Flying Tigers placed SS Cristian Santana on the 7-day injured list.
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SS Cristian Santana roster status changed by Detroit Tigers.
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SS Cristian Santana assigned to Detroit Tigers.
