Events Calendar
In This Section
Most Read Stories
Man robbed at Tallmadge Avenue eatery
Another winter punch heading toward Ohio
Four teens restrain man, take items from his Akron home
Complaints against officer keep coming
Police: Ohio girl dies after fall into snow bank
Region makes way for latest batch of snow; cancellations rise
Cuyahoga Falls residents come home to find burning couch on balcony
Blogs:
First Bell - On Education:
No City of Akron basketball tonight
Pets:
Pet telethon re-airs
The Heldenfiles:
Chipmunks "Squeakquel" on DVD/BD March 30
Akron Zips:
Late surge gives Zips ugly road win
Tribe Matters:
Blogmail response on Hafner
Cleveland Browns:
Stallworth's contract terminated
Balanced Ledger:
QB in Browns future: another mock draft
Kent State Sports:
KSU Notes – February 9
Cleveland Cavaliers:
NBA Power Rankings from Around the Internet
Buckeye Blogging:
Buckeyes grab 18 players on signing day
Varsity Letters:
Garfield at Buchtel basketball
All Da King's Men:
Palin At The Tea Party Convention
Blog of Mass Destruction:
Republican Pre-Conditions
Akron Law Café:
Law, Love and Chocolate
Car Chase:
Collector Car Hobby Loses One of the Best—Jim Roll
Let's Talk Real Estate:
Decisions Decisions: Credit Cards or Your Mortgage?
Ohio Travels with Betty:
Loucile is looking for a Lake Erie getaway in June for three kids, ages 1, 3, and 5.
Sound Check:
Talk of the Town – Top entertainment picks for the weekend
HRLite House:
OFCCP Report
Akron Gamer:
Makers of 'Castle Crashers' unveil 'BattleBlock Theater'
See Jane Style:
Do IT this week: Layering
By Stephanie Storm
Beacon Journal sports writer
POSTED: 07:48 p.m. EDT, Apr 07, 2009
Special.
That was the word that kept coming out of the mouths of Aeros players and coaches when describing the Indians' latest No. 1 prospect, catcher Carlos Santana.
Sweet swing was another description.
''Offensively, he's pretty much right where he needs to be and then some,'' Aeros manager Mike Sarbaugh said during media day today at snowy and cold Canal Park. ''Carlos is very similar to where [Indians catcher] Victor [Martinez] was at this level.''
In 2002, Martinez batted .336 with the Aeros to win the Eastern League MVP award; Sarbaugh served as his hitting coach.
Santana, like Martinez, is an offensive-minded, switch-hitting position player who was moved behind the plate to take advantage of a strong throwing arm. Santana even wears No. 41 in Martinez's honor.
Santana, who turns 23 on Wednesday, and his teammates start the season tonight in their home opener against the Bowie Baysox.
He would like to follow in the steps of Martinez, but he might not be around Double-A Akron long enough come time to hand out the hardware.
And all because of that special swing that generated a combined .330 batting average, 39 doubles, 20 home runs and 115 RBI between the California and Carolina leagues last season.
Santana was named the California League MVP despite missing the final month of the season after being traded to the Indians organization.
''I haven't seen him at any level in any game where he hasn't been anything except for exceptional,'' Aeros batting coach Lee May Jr. said. ''He's really fun to watch because he's something special with the bat.''
The reason Santana is starting the season at the Double-A level is to continue working on his skills as a catcher.
''He still has a little bit to go defensively,'' Sarbaugh said. ''Our job is to work on trying to make him a better all-round catcher and help him be able to communicate with the pitchers.
''Basically, we just have to get him out there and get him some more experience.''
Indians General Manager Mark Shapiro acquired Santana and right-handed pitcher John Meloan from the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for veteran Casey Blake last July.
''[Santana's] a rare guy who's gotten better as his competition has increased,'' Shapiro said over the winter. ''He's got a rocket for an arm defensively. On offense, he's very aggressive at the plate when he gets the ball and is smart enough to lay off the rest.''
Santana, who was originally signed by the Dodgers in 2004 out of the Dominican Republic and was added to the Tribe's 40-man roster in the offseason, got a small taste of Double-A last year during a late-season promotion to the Aeros.
He only played in two games due to a groin strain, but being around the team and traveling with the Aeros during their playoff run left a lasting impression.
''By being here and watching the play in this league, I have a better idea of what I can expect in this kind of atmosphere,'' Santana said through interpreter Damaso Espino, who also is a catcher for the Aeros. ''Knowing the park and the [coaching] staff, it's going to be more comfortable for me.''
Stephanie Storm can be reached at sstorm@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the Indians and Aeros blog at http://www.ohio.com/tribematters.
Special.
That was the word that kept coming out of the mouths of Aeros players and coaches when describing the Indians' latest No. 1 prospect, catcher Carlos Santana.
Sweet swing was another description.
''Offensively, he's pretty much right where he needs to be and then some,'' Aeros manager Mike Sarbaugh said during media day today at snowy and cold Canal Park. ''Carlos is very similar to where [Indians catcher] Victor [Martinez] was at this level.''
In 2002, Martinez batted .336 with the Aeros to win the Eastern League MVP award; Sarbaugh served as his hitting coach.
Santana, like Martinez, is an offensive-minded, switch-hitting position player who was moved behind the plate to take advantage of a strong throwing arm. Santana even wears No. 41 in Martinez's honor.
Santana, who turns 23 on Wednesday, and his teammates start the season tonight in their home opener against the Bowie Baysox.
He would like to follow in the steps of Martinez, but he might not be around Double-A Akron long enough come time to hand out the hardware.
And all because of that special swing that generated a combined .330 batting average, 39 doubles, 20 home runs and 115 RBI between the California and Carolina leagues last season.
Santana was named the California League MVP despite missing the final month of the season after being traded to the Indians organization.
''I haven't seen him at any level in any game where he hasn't been anything except for exceptional,'' Aeros batting coach Lee May Jr. said. ''He's really fun to watch because he's something special with the bat.''
The reason Santana is starting the season at the Double-A level is to continue working on his skills as a catcher.
''He still has a little bit to go defensively,'' Sarbaugh said. ''Our job is to work on trying to make him a better all-round catcher and help him be able to communicate with the pitchers.
''Basically, we just have to get him out there and get him some more experience.''
Indians General Manager Mark Shapiro acquired Santana and right-handed pitcher John Meloan from the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for veteran Casey Blake last July.
''[Santana's] a rare guy who's gotten better as his competition has increased,'' Shapiro said over the winter. ''He's got a rocket for an arm defensively. On offense, he's very aggressive at the plate when he gets the ball and is smart enough to lay off the rest.''
Santana, who was originally signed by the Dodgers in 2004 out of the Dominican Republic and was added to the Tribe's 40-man roster in the offseason, got a small taste of Double-A last year during a late-season promotion to the Aeros.
He only played in two games due to a groin strain, but being around the team and traveling with the Aeros during their playoff run left a lasting impression.
''By being here and watching the play in this league, I have a better idea of what I can expect in this kind of atmosphere,'' Santana said through interpreter Damaso Espino, who also is a catcher for the Aeros. ''Knowing the park and the [coaching] staff, it's going to be more comfortable for me.''
Stephanie Storm can be reached at sstorm@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the Indians and Aeros blog at http://www.ohio.com/tribematters.
Comments
Click here to post your comments
Canton, OH
Posted 08:11 PM, 04/07/2009
Carlos can play the National Anthem ,too. . He is also a heck of a guitar player. . I've got his Greatest Hits . .& Abraxas. . .Carlos Devadip Santana. . .YEAH !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Posted 07:10 AM, 04/08/2009
If Santana were in the Twins system, for instance, he'd be in the major leagues at 23, certainly not toiling away at AA. That's the problem with the Tribe. They wait til their guys are mid to late 20s before they reach the majors, then their contractual hold on the player is far lessened. If they have talent, get them to Cleveland early on (like C.C.), then you've got six or seven good years before they can opt out.
Again, what are we so afraid of? Minnesota has shown us time after time, young players can impact your team and lead you to World Series titles. Aging mediocre veterans like Dellucci, Boone, Nixon...not so much.
Posted 08:23 AM, 04/08/2009
World Series titles huh? When was the last time the Twins were even in the World Series, let alone win it?
I know it is more recent then the Indians, but you are making it sound like the Twins have won 4 titles in the last 8 years!!
Posted 08:47 AM, 04/08/2009
The reason this guy is sitting at AA is because the guy he aspires to be like is still playing for the Tribe.
Denver, CO
Posted 04:24 PM, 04/08/2009
Reality Check said "That's the problem with the Tribe. They wait til their guys are mid to late 20s before they reach the majors, then their contractual hold on the player is far lessened. If they have talent, get them to Cleveland early on (like C.C.), then you've got six or seven good years before they can opt out."
RC, the users here at Ohio.com politely request that you spend an afternoon learning about baseball's contract rules. This is silly.
