Aside from days when Paul Skenes starts, there hasn’t been much for Pittsburgh Pirates fans to get excited about this season.
The Pirates are mired in last place in the National League Central, and the team tried to build toward the future at the Major League Baseball Trade Deadline by adding the likes of Bryan De La Cruz and Nick Yorke.
But it’s been a waiver pickup who has been one of their best acquisition of the season, according to Justin Guerriero of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
Dennis Santana had an ugly 23 games for the New York Yankees to start this season, recording a 6.26 ERA and 19 strikeouts to 10 walks in 27 1/3 innings.
However, he’s completely turned that around in his time with Pittsburgh.
Across 33 games (38 1/3 innings), Santana has been a 1.2 WAR player with a 2.58 ERA and 44 strikeouts to nine walks.
And that might not be a fluke if you believe what Santana has to say about it.
“I’ve been on six or seven teams, and (the Pirates) have found a way to help me out,” Santana told Guerriero. “Everybody (is) watching how I do from the past and now since I got to the Pirates. They’ve been doing a really good job, and I appreciate that a lot.”
His MLB Statcast numbers back up the turnaround.
Santana has ranked in the 96th percentile in opponents’ average exit velocity (86.2 mph) and the 98th percentile in chase percentage (36.1 percent).
Considering that the Pirates' bullpen has ranked 27th in MLB with a 4.63 ERA this season, his continued success could be key to a team turnaround in 2025.
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