Hector Santiago

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Chicago White Sox #11 prospect in 2012
  A prototypical sleeper, this blue-collar guy from Newark, N.J. somehow shot from high Class A to Chicago in a six-week period last season. After signing for $85,000 as a 30th-round draft-and-follow, Santiago spent his first four pro seasons in middle relief. The key to his rapid ascent was was a trip to the Puerto Rican Winter League after the 2010 season, where former Brewers lefty Angel Miranda helped him improve his changeup and develop a screwball. The White Sox sent Santiago back to Winston-Salem for a third straight year but made him a starter, and he came up to the majors for a short stay in July. He struck out Eric Hosmer in his debut and threw 4⅓ scoreless innings the next day before returning to the minors. Santiago's best pitch is a low- 90s fastball that spikes as high as 96 mph. His heater straightens out at times, which made the refinement of his changeup and addition of his screwball so important. They give him a pair of average secondary pitches to keep opponents from sitting on his fastball. His mediocre slider wasn't getting the job done. Santiago's control and command waver, and he'll need to throw consistent strikes to stick in the majors. He could be part of Chicago's bullpen in 2012, though the organization may want to send him to Triple-A and continue to develop him as a starter. The White Sox don't have much pitching depth in the high minors, so he should get an opportunity soon no matter what path he takes.