Prospect Santos 'electric' in Spring Breakout start
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Malcolm Moore knew Winston Santos was locked in before he even threw a pitch. In the second annual Spring Breakout game, Santos -- the Rangers’ No. 5 prospect, per MLB Pipeline -- was throwing to Moore, the Rangers’ No. 4 prospect and highest-ranked catcher. The battery more
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Malcolm Moore knew Winston Santos was locked in before he even threw a pitch.
In the second annual Spring Breakout game, Santos -- the Rangers’ No. 5 prospect, per MLB Pipeline -- was throwing to Moore, the Rangers’ No. 4 prospect and highest-ranked catcher. The battery more than delivered in a 5-5 tie vs. Giants prospects.
Santos cruised through his Spring Breakout start, tossing three perfect frames with six strikeouts: four swinging, one looking and one via pitch timer violation. He threw an efficient 37 pitches, 26 for strikes with 12 whiffs.
“You don't get a guy locked in like that very often,” Moore said. “When you do, you like to catch that. You wish everybody was like that every time, honestly. It's fun, because it doesn't really matter what I put down. He's just going to do it and it's going to get the guy out.
“You could see it when he was warming up. You can kind of just see it in the way it's coming out of his hand, and the way that he’s going about his business and the confidence that he has. It's a whole body confidence. … He was electric.”
When asked if Moore was correct in his assumption, Santos said he did feel locked in because he prepared as well as possible beforehand. He felt ready to do his job from the jump.
“I’ve learned a lot this spring and I’ve been enjoying making adjustments and I'm just ready to go,” Santos said through interpreter Nick Janssen. “I made some small changes to improve my control [last season] and I just enjoy the game. I just want to keep learning. Those adjustments helped me. I just want to keep building and getting better.”
His professional debut was delayed due to the pandemic, but there were high expectations both internally and externally. He threw just 33 innings in 2021 before posting a 3.49 ERA in 108 1/3 innings with Single-A Down East in 2022.
Santos is part of the latest crop of Rangers pitching prospects looking to turn the tide on the organizational perception regarding pitching development.
There’s Cody Bradford, who ingrained himself in the big league rotation before an injury this spring, the Vandy Boys duo of Jack Leiter and Kumar Rocker knocking on the door as we speak, and then Santos and Emiliano Teodo -- who cleaned up a bases-loaded jam in relief in Spring Breakout -- headlining the next group of homegrown starting pitchers.
“We've talked a lot about our pitching pipeline, our pitching development practices, and we're not all the way there yet,” general manager Ross Fenstermaker said earlier this week. “We feel like we've created quite a decent-sized group in terms of guys that can come up and help contribute here in the near future. I feel like in some ways, [Teodo] has become too famous with what he's done here in camp, and Winston is right behind him as well.”
Santos was signed for just $10,000 out of the Dominican Republic in the Rangers’ 2019-20 international class, and it’s been an improbable rise and fall and rise again for him in the following years.
But then he struggled to a 6.29 ERA in 98 2/3 innings with High-A Hickory in 2024 before finally showing his full potential in 2024.
He boasted a 3.67 ERA between Hickory and Double-A Frisco last season, leading the farm in wins (11) and strikeouts (138 in 110 1/3 innings). He pitched in the All-Star Futures Game and was added to the Rangers’ 40-man roster this offseason.
Frisco manager Carlos Cardoza, who also managed the Spring Breakout game, raved about Santos last season and is even higher on the 22-year-old now.
“I see an electric fastball and improvement in his secondary stuff,” Cardoza said. “Once he was able to get the slider underneath the bats, it just kind of took off from there. That's between the lines. I think what stood out the most was his professionalism and how steadfast and committed he was to his routine and his body and his work between starts.”
“We’re seeing all see the fruits of the labor that's been put in the last couple of years and the kind of synergy that exists between the different departments [in pitching development]. Ross has said it: It’s not a finished product by any means, but it's certainly a bright spot with what the system is doing.”
$3.14 Tickets Available for Pi Day, March 14th
- To Purchase Pi Day Tickets for Friday, April 4th -- CLICK HERE
- To Purchase Pi Day Tickets for Saturday, April 5th -- CLICK HERE
- To Purchase Pi Day Tickets for Sunday, April 6th -- CLICK HERE Friday is March 14th...other wise known as 3/14...also known as Pi
12 Former Cyclones To Represent Mets In 2025 Spring Breakout
CONEY ISLAND, BROOKLYN, N.Y. (March 6, 2025) — On Thursday, the New York Mets announced their roster for the second annual Spring Breakout game scheduled against the Washington Nationals at CATCI Park of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Fla., on Sunday, March 16, at 5:05 p.m. ET. The
Gilbert Gómez Returns as Manager to Head Cyclones’ 2025 Coaching Staff
CONEY ISLAND, BROOKLYN, N.Y. (February 5, 2025) — The Brooklyn Cyclones, in collaboration with the New York Mets, unveiled their 2025 coaching staff on Wednesday. Gilbert Gómez will return for his second season as Cyclones manager when the season kicks off on Friday, April 4, at Maimonides Park. Gómez enters
Coach Kevin Chronicles: Get Ready for Little League Season
Kevin Mahoney (Coach Kevin) is the General Manager of the Brooklyn Cyclones and a member of the Board of Directors for Oceanside Little League with nearly two decades worth of youth baseball coaching experience. He will be sharing his expertise in the Coach Kevin Chronicles over the coming weeks as
Surf Squad Auditions Set for Saturday, February 8th
- To Sign Up for Auditions -- CLICK HERE We are looking for fun-loving, energetic, personable and enthusiastic people to be a part of our on-field entertainment crew. You will be the first face people see when they enter the ballpark and the last face they see on the way
New Videoboard Coming to Maimonides Park for 2025 Season
The Brooklyn Cyclones and Diamond Baseball Holdings have announced that Maimonides Park will have a brand-new, state-of-the-art videoboard installed for the 2025 season. The existing board was updated prior to the start of the 2011 season and featured 480 square feet of video board space. The new board, which will
Six Former Cyclones Selected in the 2024 Rule V Draft
DALLAS, TX (December 11, 2001) – On the final day of Major League Baseball’s Winter Meetings, the Mets lost nine players as part of the Rule V Draft, including six former Cyclones. RHP Mike Vasil, LHP Nathan Lavender, RHP Nolan Clenney, RHP Jawilme Ramirez, INF Junior Tilien and C Drake
Syracuse Mets & Brooklyn Cyclones Enter Next Chapter Under New Ownership, Diamond Baseball Holdings
NEW YORK, NY (December 10, 2024) – Diamond Baseball Holdings (DBH), an organization that owns and operates select minor league clubs affiliated with Major League Baseball (MLB), today announced it has entered into an agreement with affiliates of Cohen Private Ventures to purchase the Syracuse Mets and Brooklyn Cyclones. The
Join us for Breakfast with Santa - Sunday, December 22nd
- To Purchase Tickets -- CLICK HERE You better watch out, you better not cry, better not pout, I'm telling you why...Santa Claus is coming to town! Join us on Sunday, December 22nd for Breakfast with Santa at Maimonides Park starting at 10 AM. Tickets are $20 per person (all
Garage Sale Set of Sunday, November 10th at Maimonides Park
Join us on Sunday, November 10th for our annual Garage Sale. It's a great way to stock up on promo items like bobbleheads and caps, game worn gear, and more. The event is CASH ONLY. Items will not be shipped and you need to claim them in person the day
Six Former Cyclones To Represent Mets In Arizona Fall League
CONEY ISLAND, BROOKLYN, N.Y. (September 25, 2024) — Major League Baseball (MLB) has announced the rosters and coaching staffs for the 2024 Arizona Fall League (AFL), which begins on Monday, October 7, and concludes with the championship game on Saturday, November 16. Six Brooklyn Cyclones alumni — RHP Saúl García,
Nick Morabito and Brandon Sproat Named Mets Organizational Pitcher and Player of the Year for 2024 Season
FLUSHING, N.Y., September 20, 2024 – The New York Mets today announced the 2024 Player Development Award winners. Outfielder Nick Morabito was named the organization's Player of the Year and RHP Brandon Sproat was named Pitcher of the Year. Outfielder Edward Lantigua was named DSL Player of the Year and
Nick Morabito Named to South Atlantic League All-Star Team
September 19, 2024 – Minor League Baseball has announced their High-A All-Stars for the 2024 season and Nick Morabito was selected to the South Atlantic League team. The 21-year-old hit .294 (111-377) in 95 games with the Cyclones while collecting 15 doubles, three triples, three home runs, 22 RBI and
Cyclones Wrap Up 2024 With 21 Players Promoted
BROOKLYN, N.Y. - The Brooklyn Cyclones concluded a busy 2024 campaign on Sunday afternoon at 65-67. Although Brooklyn did not qualify for a spot in the South Atlantic League Postseason, the season still featured numerous outstanding accomplishments and achievements. All told, Brooklyn sent 21 players up to higher levels of
Baro Blasts Three Extra Base Hits as Cyclones Down Blue Rocks, 5-4, on Season’s Final Day
- BOX SCORE BROOKLYN, N.Y. (September 8, 2024) -- Thanks to a go-ahead RBI base hit from 2B Kevin Villavicencio in the bottom of the eighth inning, combined with three extra base hits from 3B Boston Baro, the Brooklyn Cyclones defeated the Wilmington Blue Rocks, 5-4, on the final day
Cyclones Can’t Push Past Wilmington, Fall 7-3
- BOX SCORE BROOKLYN, N.Y. - Despite a two-run blast from C Chris Suero - his seventh High-A home run of the season - the Brooklyn Cyclones were topped by the Wilmington Blue Rocks on Saturday night on Coney Island, 7-3. Suero’s long ball pulled Brooklyn even in the third
Game Status for Saturday, September 7th
We will update the status of the game scheduled for Saturday, September 7th at 6:00 PM here: - As of 4:00 PM - while it is not currently raining on Coney Island, we do expect rain to come through the area prior to our scheduled 6:00 PM first pitch. It
Morabito Breaks Cyclones Single-Season Hits Record & Wenninger Punches 10 as Brooklyn Downs Wilmington, 3-1
BOX SCORE BROOKLYN, N.Y. - OF Nick Morabito (110) surpassed J.T. Schwartz atop the list of hits in a single-season in Brooklyn Cyclones franchise history in a 3-1 win over Wilmington on Friday night. The 2022 Mets 2nd rounder broke the record with a double on a line drive to
Cyclones Bested by Blue Rocks, 8-4
BOX SCORE BROOKLYN, N.Y. - The Brooklyn Cyclones were topped by the Wilmington Blue Rocks on Thursday night, 8-4. The victory marks Brooklyn’s first loss of the series, after shutting out Wilmington in each of the first two games. Brooklyn pitchers saw their consecutive scoreless inning streak come to an
Cyclones Arms Twirl Franchise-Record 14th Shutout in 1-0 Victory Over Wilmington
BOX SCORE BROOKLYN, N.Y. - Behind another night of stellar pitching, the Brooklyn Cyclones shutout the Wilmington Blue Rocks for a second straight night, this time by a score of 1-0. RHP Saul García dazzled in his 2024 High-A debut, tossing five scoreless innings while registering seven strikeouts and walking
Suero’s Solo Shot Helps Brooklyn Surge to Franchise Record 13th Shutout & Series-Opening Win over Wilmington, 6-0
BOX SCORE BROOKLYN, N.Y. - Behind a three hit night - including a solo home run - from C Chris Suero, the Brooklyn Cyclones defeated the Wilmington Blue Rocks, 6-0, on Tuesday night. The win marks Brooklyn’s 13th shutout victory of the season, extending their franchise record.
Cyclones Use Six-Run Seventh To Down Dash In Road Finale
• BOX SCORE WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (September 1, 2024) — After being held scoreless through six innings and seeing 17 straight batters retired at one point, Brooklyn’s offense exploded for six runs and eight hits in the seventh inning to down the Winston-Salem Dash, 6-2, on Sunday night from Truist Stadium.
Brooklyn Bested By Winston-Salem In Walk-Off, Seesaw Affair
• BOX SCORE WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (August 31, 2024) — DH Nick Morabito tallied a pair of hits and RBI, adding a stolen base, but 3B Wes Kath’s walk-off two-run home run helped the Winston-Salem Dash outlast the Brooklyn Cyclones, 9-8, on Saturday night at Truist Stadium. Brooklyn (27-32, 60-65) jumped
Brooklyn Scores Five In First, Batters Winston-Salem, 9-2
• BOX SCORE WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (August 30, 2024) — SS William Lugo registered a single, a double, a two-run home run, and scored four times, as the Brooklyn Cyclones used a five-run first inning to bludgeon the Winston-Salem Dash, 9-2, on Friday night from Truist Stadium. CF Nick Morabito started
Brooklyn Can't Wiggle Past Winston-Salem In Extras
• BOX SCORE WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (August 29, 2024) — RF Nick Morabito became the fifth Cyclone in franchise history to register 100 or more hits in a single season with a multi-hit night, but Brooklyn could not extend their road winning streak to seven. The Winston-Salem Dash won the seesaw