The Braves and infielder/outfielder Danny Santana have agreed to a minor league contract, reports SB Nation’s Chris Cotillo (on Twitter). Atlanta non-tendered Santana last month rather than pay him a projected arbitration salary of $1.1MM (per MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz). Santana is represented by the Beverly Hills Sports Council.
Now 27 years of age, Santana was a Rookie of the Year candidate with the 2014 Twins when he debuted with a sensational .319/.353/.472 slash in 430 trips to the plate. That outstanding production, though, was buoyed by a sky-high .405 BABIP, and Santana’s output cratered in subsequent seasons when he (unsurprisingly) was not able to maintain that rate. Over the past three years, Santana has logged an unsightly .221/.255/.320 batting line in 720 plate appearances between Minnesota and Atlanta.
Though he hasn’t delivered much at the plate, Santana does bring plenty of speed and defensive versatility to the table. Santana’s 28.8 ft/sec average sprint speed (via Statcast) tied him with Jarrod Dyson and four others for 30th in the Majors, and he’s played everywhere on the diamond other than first base, catcher and pitcher in the Majors. While he doesn’t excel at any one position, that versatility pairs with his speed and switch-hitting abilities to make him at least an interesting depth option for the Braves to keep on hand in Triple-A Gwinnett.
Love love love this move!!
28.8 mph? Hmmm didn’t know he was faster than Usain Bolt
He is Olympics bound!
Ha, thanks. Dumb misstep on my behalf. It’s been fixed.
28.8mph sprint speed? dont think so ft/sec Steve
Ha, thank you. Too used to writing out pitch velocities, clearly. I update to the appropriate ft/sec.
just giving you a hard time haha
Just checked the statcast and it is supposed to be ft/sec not mph
Good low price deal that doesn’t tie up a roster spot.
Yo Steve every person points out your flaws when you make one. Don’t listen to the haters man you are amazing! I love your stuff and keep up the hard work man, you’re the best man!
Minors deal. If he sucks then you cut him in ST
Historically the guy rakes in triple A. Maybe he can get his mojo back and help the Braves at some point in the season.
The Braves are looking like they might challenge the Nats.
I think the braves will be tougher than expected. But unless pitching is dramatically improved top to bottom, they won’t come close to winning the division
The Nats look vulnerable too.
not with moves like this the nats are better at every position but 1b and catcher
as a twins fan lol this guy just keeps sticking around completely worthless can play any position all of them badly!
Danny Santana is potentially a super-sub type. Switch hit, run, plays all positions. except catcher.
except that he dose all of those things badly except run witch on its own isn’t much
Does anybody even watch the games anymore? This dude is terrible and we’re finding any stat we can to show his value. I don’t care if he runs like the freeze, he can’t hit.
I am genuinely surprised Jarrod Dyson is only the 30th fastest big leaguer. Definitely would’ve put him in the top 15.