Santana Still Taking Steps

Yury Santana was heavily relied upon in the back of the Brooklyn bullpen this past season. His efficiency was welcomed considering 2008 was his first full stint as a pitcher. Santana, originally signed in 2003 out of the Dominican Republic, was a shortstop through the 2006 but came on strong this season as he earned NY-Penn League distinction.

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Over the last three seasons, Yury Santana has been a bit of a project and that is because the 6-foot, shortstop-turned-pitcher has only seen the mound in game action for 30.2 innings pitched over the last two full seasons. The project began following the 2005 season when Santana, a career .197 hitter as a shortstop, made a career switch.

But the move was delayed as Santana underwent Tommy John surgery that winter which caused him to lose nearly two full seasons until his debut in the Gulf Coast League in August 2007.

This season Santana was healthy and owned a strong repertoire that featured a low-90s fastball, low to mid-80s slider and a changeup that he throws, but still takes a backseat to his breaking pitch.

”I feel good with my slider, it’s a hard slider. I have a really good changeup, but I throw more sliders because it’s a pitch that I can get people out on,” said Santana.

Nonetheless, his top two pitchers were dynamic enough to keep NY-Penn League hitters at bay as he pitched his way to a All-Star selection and 2.45 ERA and 13 saves in 27 games. He instantly gave credit to his surrounding coaches.

“I worked so hard this year; everything was done in spring training. I did my rehabilitation there [in St. Lucie] last year, I love it over there. They showed me how to pitch inside, how to get ahead. A lot of people showed me the right way to do what I have to do,” he said.

Santana’s success came from a simple approach. When out on the mound, he is not one to nibble and rather goes right after hitters. That approach helped him strike out 37 batters and maintain a .194 opponent’s batting average this season.

“When I’m out there I can’t think, it’s just throw the ball. If you throw the first pitch for a strike, you’ll be safe. When you go there to close the game, you try to throw a strike. It doesn’t matter [the situation].”

Now fully engaged in the Instructional League season, Santana feels as positive as ever. He has put his surgery behind him and looks forward to more progress.

” I feel good, I don’t feel like I lost time. I played here in 2005 and now I’m pitching. I feel more excited because now I can do something good for the team. When I was here, I can’t hit. Now I can throw a strike and get people out,” he closed.