Carlos Santana, Cleveland Indians
.153/.295/.276, 2 homers, 11 RBI, 63 wRC+ in 122 PA
Santana’s lone year in Philadelphia didn’t only include smashing TVs — he did play some baseball, too. His tenure as a Phillie started slow, but he certainly turned it up shortly thereafter. From May 1st to the end of the regular season, Santana posted a 119 wRC+ with 22 homers and 75 RBI in 557 plate appearances.
He’s come close on a number of occasions when looking at his full seasons, but last year was significant because Santana’s walk rate (16.2%) finally outpaced his strikeout rate (13.7%). The fact that he’s back in Cleveland after getting traded twice this past winter shouldn’t be overlooked, either. He’s back home in a setting he’s comfortable with.
The Indians could use a hot start from him because of how their Opening-Day roster is shaping up at the moment. There are already questions in the outfield, but Jason Kipnis and Francisco Lindor will be starting the year on the injured list, and Jose Ramirez fouled a ball off his leg earlier this week.
Cleveland’s path toward winning yet another AL Central title is much more direct than most, but the Minnesota Twins aren’t all that far away, lurking in the background.
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