Carlos Santana (born April 8, 1986), nicknamed "Slamtana," is a Dominican-American professional baseball first baseman for the Milwaukee Brewers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2010 with the Cleveland Indians and has also played for the Philadelphia Phillies, Kansas City Royals, Seattle Mariners, and Pittsburgh Pirates. In international competition, he has participated with the Dominican Republic national team, winning the gold medal in the 2013 World Baseball Classic (WBC). Noted for plate discipline and power, Santana has also emerged as an excellent defender at first base. He stands tall, weighs , throws right-handed and is a switch hitter.
Each season since 2011 (with the exception of the shortened 2020 season), Santana has hit at least 18 home runs while finishing within the top four in the league in bases on balls. He was named an MLB All-Star in 2019, has twice participated in the MLB Japan All-Star Series, and in 2017, was recognized as Wilson Defensive Player of the Year at first base. Santana set Indians' club records among switch hitters for both home runs in a career and in a single season, and for career runs batted in (RBIs). Over consecutive minor league seasons spanning 2008–2009, he won Most Valuable Player Awards (MVPs), first of the High-A California League, and then of the AA Eastern League. He was also named High A Player of the Year in 2008, Indians' Minor League Player of the Year in 2009, and the Indians' top prospect in 2009 and 2010.
A native of Santo Domingo, Santana first joined the professional ranks when he signed as an amateur free agent with the Los Angeles Dodgers on August 13, 2004. He played in the Dodgers' minor league system until July 26, 2008, when he was traded to the Indians. He primarily split his time between catcher and first base through the 2013 season, and since has played mainly first base and designated hitter, and some third base. Prior to the 2018 season, Santana became a free agent and signed with the Philadelphia Phillies for three years. After one season, he was traded to the Seattle Mariners, and then back to Cleveland in the same offseason. He signed with the Kansas City Royals at the conclusion of his contract, and was traded to Seattle during the 2022 season.
Early life
Born in Santo Domingo, Santana has five sisters and two brothers. Their parents began divorce proceedings when he was 15 years old. Santana and his sisters lived with his mother after the divorce, which afforded him the opportunity to play baseball, meanwhile emerging as a father figure to his sisters. He played baseball with his neighbors in a 5-on-5 format, and, instead of swinging with bats, they used baseball caps. After signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Santana received a bonus worth $75,000, taking a part of the money to buy his mother a house.
Professional career
Minor leagues
Santana signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2005. He began his professional baseball career with the Gulf Coast Dodgers, the rookie level minor league affiliate. He played 32 games in 2005 and batted .295. He played primarily at third base, while also appearing at catcher, second base, in left field and in right field.
On July 26, 2008, the Dodgers traded Santana and pitcher Jon Meloan to the Cleveland Indians for third baseman Casey Blake. Santana appeared in 130 games combined in 2008 with the Akron Aeros, Inland Empire 66ers of San Bernardino, and Kinston Indians during the 2008 season, with the majority at San Bernardino and Kinston at the Class A-Advanced level, and played primarily catcher. On offense, he hit .326, amassed .431 on-base percentage (OBP), .568 slugging percentage (SLG), .999 on-base plus slugging (OPS), 125 runs scored, 21 home runs, collected 117 runs batted in (RBI), 89 bases on balls (BB) and 85 strikeouts. Santana was named California League Most Valuable Player (MVP). He also earned mention as Hi-A Player of the Year and made the Hi-A All-Star team, California League All-Star team, and Baseball America'''s All-Star second team.