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.”
Let the Haunted Debauchery Ensue As St. Paul Saints Become the Crooks Haven Ghostly Gangsters On Friday, June 27
ST. PAUL, MN (March 13, 2025) - John Dillinger. Baby Face Nelson. Ma Barker. Alvin “Creepy” Karpis. The St. Paul Saints have more in common with some of the most famous gangsters in history, who made their way to Saint Paul during prohibition, than you might think. Many might consider
Saints Announce Front Office Changes: Derek Sharrer Elevated To President, Zane Heinselman Promoted to GM
ST. PAUL, MN (March 12, 2025) - The St. Paul Saints, together with owner and operator Diamond Baseball Holdings (DBH), are proud to announce the promotion of two long-time employees of the club ahead of the 2025 season. Derek Sharrer, who has served as General Manager since 2004, will transition
Saints Give Fans 75 Wicked Good Promotions In 2025
ST. PAUL, MN (March 11, 2025) - The St. Paul Saints are bringing the force, magic, and laughs in 2025 with a season packed full of out-of-this-world promotions. Whether you’re ready to "join the dark side," "defy gravity,” or relax with a beverage and Peanuts, there’s something for every fan.
What's In A Name? Saints Hold Month-Long Name the Pig Contest Presented by Minnesota Star Tribune
ST. PAUL, MN (February 21, 2025) - It’s your chance for immortality. Maybe you’re a little nervous but like the pig, who doesn’t sweat, neither should you. This is the time to use your creative brain, much like the animal you’re trying to name who is considered one of the
Love the One You're With As Saints Single-Game Tickets On Sale February 15
ST. PAUL, MN (February 13, 2025) - Whether your goal is to get a glimpse of a top Minnesota Twins prospect, snag a foul ball, or catch the side-splitting humor at CHS Field, the St. Paul Saints promise to keep people of all ages amused during the 2025 season. Whether
Back Again, Gardenhire Returns For Fifth Season As Saints Manager, Joined Again By Schlechter, Three New Coaches Join Staff
ST. PAUL, MN (January 21, 2025) - Stability at the managerial position is something the St. Paul Saints have had since their inaugural season as an organization in 1993. They had just five managers in 28 seasons as an Independent League team. When they became the Minnesota Twins Triple-A affiliate
Banana Ball World Tour Coming To CHS Field August 1 & 2 As Party Animals Bring Their Unique Brand Of Baseball To Lowertown
ST. PAUL, MN (October 3, 2024) - In 1993 the St. Paul Saints changed the way fans enjoyed baseball games. Instead of making it all about the play on the field, the organization brought fun and irreverent humor to the ballpark. Always looking to partner with organizations that align with
Saints Lose Final Game of the Season 9-4
ST. PAUL, MN (September 22, 2024) - As the St. Paul Saints headed into the final game of the season a number of players were trying to hit personal milestones. One of those players was starting pitcher Caleb Boushely, who was attempting to become the Saints second 10-game winner on
Keirsey Jr. Sets Single-Season Hits Mark, Saints Comeback Falls Short In 8-7 Loss
ST. PAUL, MN (September 21, 2024) - DaShawn Keirsey Jr. is capping off the year with an incredible week in a season he won’t soon forget. He made his Major League debut, he’s been the most consistent hitter on the St. Paul Saints, and on Saturday night he etched his
Raya Impressive In Triple-A Debut, Williams Smashes Two Home Runs, But Saints Lose 8-6
ST. PAUL, MN (September 20, 2024) - If the last two nights are any indication, the St. Paul Saints starting rotation to start 2025 is in good hands. On Thursday night it was Cory Lewis earning a win in his Triple-A debut. On Friday night at CHS Field Marco Raya
Severino Ties Single-Season Franchise Home Run Mark In 8-3 Saints Win
ST. PAUL, MN (September 19, 2024) - For the last 12 games Yunior Severino has been stuck on 20 home runs, one shy of the St. Paul Saints single-season home run mark. On Thursday night at CHS Field he finally tied the record with a fifth inning home run. That
Close Game Gets Away From Saints In 10-2 Loss To Indianapolis
ST. PAUL, MN (September 18, 2024) - The St. Paul Saints kept the same game plan on Wednesday as they did on Tuesday. Facing the number two pitching prospect in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization, Thomas Harrington, the Saints kept it close for six innings. Unfortunately, instead of a come from
Saints Start Off Final Series Of Season With 4-2 Win Over Indianapolis
ST. PAUL, MN (September 17, 2024) - For the second time this season St. Paul Saints starter Caleb Boushley got the start opposite the Pittsburgh Pirates number one prospect, and the number 21 prospect in baseball, Indianapolis Indians fireballer Bubba Chandler. Boushley once again kept his team in the game,
Two Top 30 Pitchers Promoted From Wichita, Marco Raya and Cory Lewis Transferred to St. Paul
ST. PAUL, MN (September 16, 2024) - As the last week of the season has arrived, there is one final chance for prospects to get a taste of Triple-A. That is what Marco Raya and Cory Lewis will be getting, as they were promoted to St. Paul on Monday. Raya,
Saints Finish Off Road Portion Of Schedule With 5-2 Loss To Clippers
COLUMBUS, OH (September 15, 2024) - And now all that is left are six games at CHS Field. The St. Paul Saints finished off the road portion of their schedule jumping out to a 2-0, but as happened in the previous three games the Columbus Clippers scored several unanswered runs
Saints Drop Fourth Straight To Clippers, 8-3
COLUMBUS, OH (September 14, 2024) - The teams chasing the Columbus Clippers for the second half title were hoping to get some help from the St. Paul Saints this week. After winning game one of the series, however, the Saints haven’t been able to equal what they did on Tuesday.
Severino Sets Single-Season Franchise RBI Record, But Saints Fall 11-1
COLUMBUS, OH (September 13, 2024) - One record down, one to go for Yunior Severino. His first inning RBI single gave him the franchise single-season record and he still needs one home run to tie that mark. Unfortunately, that was all the positive feelings for the St. Paul Saints in
Eerily Similar Feeling, Saints Give Up Three-Run Homer In Eighth And Fall 8-7 To Clippers
COLUMBUS, OH (September 12, 2024) - If you put Wednesday night’s game side-by-side with Thursday night’s game you would find several similarities. The St. Paul Saints got an insurance run in the eighth on a bases loaded walk, but couldn’t deliver the knockout blow. In the bottom of the inning
Empty Feeling, Saints Lose On Walk-Off Homer In Ninth 7-6
COLUMBUS, OH (September 11, 2024) - The horror continues for the St. Paul Saints at Huntington Park. Entering Wednesday night the Saints were 11-26 in the home of the Columbus Clippers. They carried a three run lead into the eighth, but saw that disappear with a home run in the
Saints Attempt To Play Spoiler With 7-4 Win Over Clippers
COLUMBUS, OH (September 10, 2024) - The St. Paul Saints are 16-games under .500 at Huntington Park in their franchise history. But for the next six days they have a chance to play spoiler to the best team in the second half as the Columbus Clippers entered the day 4.0
Saints Score Seven Runs Over Final Three Innings For 9-3 Win
ST. PAUL, MN (September 8, 2024) - A well-pitched game on both sides early on turned into a rout for the St. Paul Saints late. They scored seven runs over their final three at bats as Carson McCusker finished a triple shy of the cycle in a 9-3 victory over
Emmanuel Rodriguez' Inside-the-Park Grand Slam Helps Saints To 8-6 Victory
ST. PAUL, MN (September 7, 2024) - Emmanuel Rodriguez is no stranger to inside-the-park grand slams, hitting a walk-off one at High-A Cedar Rapids in 2023. He can add another memorable one to his impressive ledger as his first Triple-A home run was an inside-the-park grand slam as part of
Morris Strong, Oat Milkers Hit Three Homers, But Fall 8-4 To I-Cubs
ST. PAUL, MN (September 6, 2024) - Despite being on a limited pitch count, Andrew Morris was tremendous in his fifth Triple-A start. He went 3.2 innings and left with a 4-0 lead, but it unraveled after he left as the St. Paul Saints Malmö Oat Milkers fell 8-4 to
Second Time In Two Weeks Prato Plays Hero With Walk-Off Single In Ninth As Saints Win 7-6
ST. PAUL, MN (September 5, 2024) - He didn’t start the game, but he sure finished it. Anthony Prato entered the game in the eighth inning as a pinch runner. One inning later his walk-off single to center gave the St. Paul Saints a 7-6 win over the Iowa Cubs
Headrick, Dobnak Spin Gem In 2-1 Win Over I-Cubs
ST. PAUL, MN (September 4, 2024) - Brent Headrick made his return to the St. Paul Saints, pitching in his first game since April 6 after coming off a left forearm strain. He was masterful in his 3.0 innings of work. Randy Dobnak did the rest as the two combined