Reid Santos

Reid Santos- Left-handed Pitcher
Age: 25 Height: 6'1" Weight: 170 Bats: Left Throws: Left

	W	L	ERA	G	GS	SV	IP	H	ER	HR	BB	K	BB9	K9	WHIP
2007 Akron	8	3	2.72	39	10	2	96.0	80	29	10	30	85	2.81	7.97	1.15
Career	20	16	3.89	139	53	7	425.3	411	184	34	132	394	2.79	8.34	1.28

History: Santos is from Wahiana, Hawaii and was taken by the Indians in the 13^th round of the 2002 Draft out of Saddleback College (Mission Viejo, CA). Santos broke onto the prospect scene in 2006, where he put up a good season in Kinston by going 2-0 with 4 saves and a 3.44 ERA, and held opposing hitters to a .223 batting average and struck out 65 in 70.2 innings pitched. He got a late season callup to Akron and was dynamite, as in nine appearances he had a 2.61 ERA and did not walk a batter and struck out 20 in just 10.1 innings pitched.

Strengths & Opportunities: Santos is not overpowering in that his fastball sits around 91-92 MPH, but for a little guy he throws harder than you think. His fastball has good velocity, and he has a good assortment of secondary pitches with a slider, curveball and changeup. His changeup is good enough to where it really plays up the speed of his fastball, and he has the ability to strikeout hitters with his fastball, slider and changeup. He is a strike-thrower and has very good command and location of his pitches to all areas of the strike zone. His durability is also helped because of a low effort delivery.

Santos was much like a super utility pitcher last year in Akron as he pitched in every role conceivable be it in middle or long relief, setup man or closer, or in the starting rotation, and his versatility to the Akron staff was invaluable. Santos started the year as a setup man in the Akron bullpen, then moved to the closer's role when Bubbie Buzachero was called up to Buffalo, and then finally settled into the starting rotation when J.D. Martin was sidelined with an injury.

Santos has a great attitude, and his versatility to pitch out of the bullpen or as a starter - especially since he is left-handed - makes him very valuable to the Indians as a possible swing man down the road. The Indians see him as an early lefty out of the bullpen because he has the pitches to come in and attack both right-handed and left-handed hitters. The Indians really liked how he finished off the season in Akron in 2006 and how he came into the 2007 season and picked up right where he left off. He went to the Hawaii Winter League in the offseason to get more work in, pitching in 13 games and compiling a 5.24 ERA with 26 strikeouts in 22.1 innings pitched.

Outlook: Santos is yet more bullpen depth the Indians appear to be grooming in the minors. Santos' ability to handle multiple roles in the bullpen and adapt to constant change put him on the fast track to Cleveland as he was recently rostered by the Indians when they added him to the 40-man roster this offseason. He will likely start the year in the Buffalo bullpen.

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