Going into the 2018 season, it was known that Los Angeles Dodgers prospect Dennis Santana had a special arm, but he was still projected to be a couple years away from being Major League ready.
He had a strong showing in Spring Training but the 22-year-old was sent to Double-A Tulsa to begin the season. Santana continued to impress for the Drillers, posting a 2.56 ERA and 1.03 WHIP with 51 strikeouts and 14 walks in 38.2 innings across his first eight starts, earning a promotion.
In his Triple-A Oklahoma City debut, Santana proved that he belongs at that level as he struck out 11 over six shutout innings, which led to him being named Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week.
Due to a multitude of injuries in the Dodgers’ starting rotation, Santana was forced to make his MLB debut sooner than expected. Although, that is also a credit to him for working his way up the Minor League ranks.
Santana’s debut with the Dodgers came on June 1 against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field, and he earned the victory by tossing 3.2 innings of relief. He allowed six hits and five runs while striking out four and walking one.
He was scheduled to make his first Major League start the following week in Pittsburgh but was scratched just before first pitch with the Pirates due to what was determined to be a right rotator cuff strain that he suffered while warming up in the bullpen.
Santana did not make another Major League appearance in 2018 after being placed on the 60-day disabled list but was able to come back and make a rehab start with High-A Rancho Cucamonga towards the end of the season to prove that he was healthy.
2018 Highlight
Earning your first Major League win is always special, and for Santana, it came in an unconventional way. Giving up five runs in 3.2 innings doesn’t usually get you a win, but Santana also got the job done at the plate that day.
In his first plate appearance, Santana came up to bat with the bases loaded. He proceeded to launch a ball to deep left for a two-run double to give the Dodgers the lead, and they went on to defeat the Rockies, 11-8.
2019 Outlook
Santana is believed to be healthy, so he will go into Spring Training in 2019 with an opportunity to earn a spot on the Major League roster.
With Walker Buehler, Clayton Kershaw, Hyun-Jin Ryu and Rich Hill all essentially being locks to make the starting rotation, barring injury, that leaves one spot left. Santana is a candidate to round out the rotation, although he faces plenty of competition in Julio Urias, Kenta Maeda, Alex Wood, Ross Stripling and Caleb Ferguson.
Still just 22 years old, Santana will likely begin the season with Oklahoma City to get the chance to start every fifth day and build up innings. He nonetheless figures to serve as valuable rotation depth and make an appearance for the Dodgers at some point in the season.
