A Mechanical Look at Chris Perez
Driveline Mechanics — ... ...if you combine this year's deal with last year's deadline trade, Shapiro has essentially swapped five months of a versatile .270/.340/.455 rental player in exchange for Carlos Santana, Chris Perez, Jonathan Meloan, and a fourth player. In comparison, Jim Hendry dealt six months of that same player for two old, generic relief prospects and a young one with poor control. ...

Early Weekend 6-Pack (7/2/09)
Let's Go Tribe! — ... The Indians full-season minor league teams all have three full months in the books.  Matt LaPorta had the team’s best month of April (1.103), while Nick Weglarz beat off some stiff competition from a number of players to claim the best May (1.055) and June (1.007).  There are a number of other high performers, of course.  Carlos Santana has been steadily good all season.  ...

Blogger Smackdown: Eric Stephen Of True Blue L.A.
Amazin' Avenue — ... Casey "The Beard" Blake has far surpassed my expectations I had when the Dodgers gave up quite a stud prospect, catcher Carlos Santana to get him (ranked higher than ...

Great Lake Loons Update from Hugh Bernreuter
True Blue LA — ... How many hitters have struggled at Great Lakes only to see their numbers miraculously improve once they hit Inland Empire? (Carlos Santana, Scott Van Slyke, ...

What's a Fair Return in a Roy Halladay Trade?
Beyond the Box Score — ... or Carlos Santana (not that Carlos Santana) .  I'm not a prospect guru, but there are probably some tiers even within those guys.  And a lesser position player prospect, someone between the top ten and top fifty of all prospects, looks to be exactly an even trade.  Once you start talking lesser hitting prospects or pitchers, however, you're talking at least two.  And moving down into the B levels (pitchers or hitters), you're talking about half a team of prospects in return. ...

Early Weekend 6-pack (7/16/09)
Let's Go Tribe! — ... AAA - League average batter age: 27.3, OPS .716 Jordan Brown 25.6 (+1.7), .868 (+.152) Matt LaPorta 24.5 (+2.8), .924 (+.208) Andy Marte 25.7 (+1.6), .887 (+.171) AAA - League average pitcher age: 27.0, ERA 3.87, WHIP 1.34 None AA - League average batter age: 24.4, OPS .719 Nick Weglarz 21.5 (+2.9), .856 (+.147) Carlos Santana 23.3 (+1.1), .888 (+.169) AA - League average pitcher age: 24.3, ERA 3.88, ...

What’s a Fair Return in a Roy Halladay Trade?
The Yankee Universe — ... It’s apparent that a stud position player prospect would be more than enough of a return for Halladay on his own.  Looking at Baseball America’s mid-season Top 25, that could be Jason Heyward, Mike Stanton (not that that Mike Stanton), Jesus Montero, Justin Smoak, Buster Posey or Carlos Santana (not that Carlos Santana) . So according to his player valuation models, Jesus Montero ALONE would be overpaying Roy Halladay’s present market value to a team by approximately DOUBLE. ...

Transactions: Cliff Lee, Ben Francisco Traded
Let's Go Tribe! — ... to bridge the gap between Martinez and Carlos Santana. Marson looks like Kelly Shoppach's evil twin (good on-base skills, but little power), and could complement Shoppach as his backup, but it would make more sense to spin him off to another team who sees in him a potential starter. Jason Donald, if you look at his entire minor-league track record, could supplant or share time with ...

MLB Trade Rumors: Cliff Lee Traded To The Phillies
FakeTeams — ... I do wonder though what Cleveland is going to do with catcher Lou Marson though. He was assigned to AAA Columbus, but why ask for a catching prospect when you have the best catching prospect in the minors in AA-Carlos Santana. No, not THAT Carlos Santana. Santana came to the Indians in the trade with the ...

Early Weekend 6-pack (7/30/09)
Let's Go Tribe! — ... 1 HR, 30 BB (12.4%), 40 K (16.6%) Jason Donald, age: 24.9, AAA (IL) 2009: .236/.297/.332, 51 G, 15 2B, 1 HR, 14 BB (6.1%), 53 K (23.0%) 5. I'm just going to steal this list from Jay, who posted it in one of the threads This is where all these players fit in (roughly) according to Kevin Goldstein's preseason rankings from Baseball Prospectus: Five-Star Prospects 1. Matt LaPorta, LF 2. Carlos Santana, C 1. Carlos Carrasco, RHP Four-Star ...

Biggest Winners/Losers at the Deadline
Federal Baseball — ... as parts of their rotation in 2010 (Justin Masterson and Carlos Carrasco), a pretty nice prospect who projects as a reliever (Bryan Price), two high-upside arms that might have been a little on the buy low side coming off of injuries (Jason Knapp and Nick Hagadone), a shortstop who is probably big-league ready and would be an upgrade over their current situation (Jason Donald), and a decent enough catching prospect who will probably just serve as a backup (to Carlos Santana) in Lou Merloni.  Oh.... and they moved Ryan ...

Minor League Overview: The Hitters
Let's Go Tribe! — ... Following up on yesterday's look at the pitchers, here is an overview of how the hitters in the Indians system have fared this year.  A few breakouts, a few disappointments, but mostly it has been a steady as she goes season so far... Progress Score Leaders Carlos Santana: 10.6 Michael Brantley: 8.8 Nick Weglarz: 8.1 Lou Marson: 7.7 Andy Marte: 7.6 Matt LaPorta: 7.4 Lonnie Chisenhall: 6.9 Carlos Rivero: ...

Trade Deadline Reactions
Minor League Ball — ... , Bryan Price, and Nick Hagadone. I do understand this one. The Indians have a great young catcher coming up in Carlos Santana, so trading Martinez makes sense.. Masterson looks like a number three sinkerball starter to me, Price has a live arm and could be good in the pen eventually. Hagadone is a breakthrough candidate once he is further down the road for Tommy John. From Boston's perspective, they add another strong veteran bat, but didn't trade any of their truly elite prospects. Win for both teams. ...

minor lines, 8/4/09
McCovey Chronicles — ... Grizzlies' most effective pitcher over the last several weeks, Ortiz further increased the ante today with a three-hit, complete-game shutout.  He threw 66 of 103 pitches for strikes and had a 13/10 GO/FO line while improving his season ERA to 2.48. AA: Connecticut defeated Arkon 4-3 Connecticut: 2B Brock Bond: 0 for 5, 2 SO Connecticut: 1B Brett Pill: 2 for 5, HR Connecticut: SS Evan Crawford: 2 for 5, HR Connecticut: LF Bobby Felmy: 3 for 4 Akron: C Carlos Santana: 1 for 3, 2 BB, SO Connecticut: RHP Geivy Garcia: 5.0 ...

minor lines, 8/6/09
McCovey Chronicles — ... Penn, who began the year in the majors with the Marlins, suffered the tough-luck loss in his best start of the year, allowing only a couple unearned runs in a complete-game performance.  Since his demotion to the minors, he now has a 5.36 ERA in eight starts. AA: Connecticut lost to Akron 2-1 (allowing a run in the bottom of the 9th inning) Connecticut: CF Mike McBryde: 2 for 4 Connecticut: SS Brandon Crawford: 2 for 4, CS Akron: C Carlos Santana: 1 for 2, 2B, BB, HBP Connecticut: RHP Daryl Maday: 7.0 IP, 4 ...

minor lines, 8/11/09
McCovey Chronicles — ... With two outs in the 9th inning, Holm went deep for his 9th HR. Kinney allowed 6+ ER for the second time in his last three starts, although it was also only the second time in his six starts he had allowed more than 2 ER.  His season ERA is back over 5.50. AA: Connecticut lost to Akron 6-4 Connecticut: RF Eddy Martinez-Esteve: 2 for 4, 2 2B Connecticut: SS Brandon Crawford: 2 for 4, 2 2B, SO Connecticut: CF Mike Mooney: 2 for 4, 3B, 2B Akron: C Carlos Santana: 3 for 5, 3B, 2B Connecticut: LHP Jesse English: ...

Early Weekend Six-Pack (8/13/09)
Let's Go Tribe! — ... My view might be colored by the flurry of bullpen conversions that were going on in the early summer, but I can’t help but feel the Indians are beginning to get more aggressive in their placement and promotion of pitchers.  Whereas they are happy to let a guy like Carlos Santana keep beating up on AA pitching while learning the nuances of catching, they have been pretty aggressive in promoting Rondon, Gomez, Perez and a whole host of younger pitchers including those newly arrived.  I think I like it. ...

minor lines, 8/13/09
McCovey Chronicles — ... Guzman 19th SLG: Bowker 3rd, Guzman 13th OPS: Bowker 1st, Guzman 12th HR: Bowker 11th BB: Bowker 5th SB: (none; Velez leads team with 16) --Pitchers: ERA: RaOrtiz 1st, Pucetas 10th WHIP: RaOrtiz 2nd, Pucetas 9th K: Kinney 5th, RaOrtiz 13th, Pucetas 18th IP: Pucetas 2nd, Kinney 7th, Hammond 12th AA: Connecticut defeated Akron 3-2 Connecticut: LF-3B Brad Boyer: 2 for 4, HR, BB, 2 SO Connecticut: 1B Brett Pill: 1 for 4, BB Akron: C Carlos Santana: 2 for 3, 2 BB, IBB Connecticut: LHP Madison ...

Game 134: Indians 5, Twins 2
Let's Go Tribe! — ... job of inside-outing a Carl Pavano pitch to drive in a run with two outs.  Kelly Shoppach, on the other hand, has looked terrible recently (.192/.302/.365 in August). He struck out three times tonight, all on swings and misses. He'll probably be losing playing time to Lou Marson after the AAA season ends, and although I think the Indians should keep him around another year, if they feel that Marson and Wyatt Toregas can hold down the fort until Carlos Santana is ready, then he's very expendable. Next Up: ...

Minor Month of August
Let's Go Tribe! — ... Graham - 14 walks in 25 August innings Josh Judy - sensational month of August (2.32 FIP, 15K/9) out of the Akron bullpen Carlton Smith - also a great month out of the pen, via a different path than Judy.  His 68% GB-rate in August explains why he hasn't given up a HR since May. Steven Wright - a third great bullpen performance for the Aeros, including a 19:1 K:BB ratio in 17.2 innings of work for the month Carlos Santana - ho-hummed his way to a .951 OPS and 10 extra-base ...

Minor League Report: Hammering Hank Conger, on his way up
Halos Heaven — ... and allowing only 3 passed balls (though he's committed a high-ish 14 errors). He's affirmed that he's a true switch-hitter, terrorizing left-handed pitching to the tune of an .875 OPS. And the patience!   He's walked 59 times against 64 strikeouts, controlling the strike zone well against advanced pitching.  Best of all, he's only 21 in AA, which is extremely rare for a catcher. To put that into context, more highly touted Indians catching prospect Carlos Santana is 23 in AA. Buster Posey began the year in High A ...

Minor League Report: Matt Brown Posts Strong Finish
Halos Heaven — ... 30% of base stealers and allowing only 3 passed balls (though he's committed a high-ish 14 errors). He's affirmed that he's a true switch-hitter, terrorizing left-handed pitching to the tune of an .875 OPS. And the patience! He's walked 59 times against 64 strikeouts, controlling the strike zone well against advanced pitching. Best of all, he's only 21 in AA, which is extremely rare for a catcher. To put that into context, more highly touted Indians catching prospect Carlos Santana is 23 in AA. Buster Posey began the year in High A as a 22-year-old. Hank's ...

Cleveland Indians Top 20 PRE-SEASON Prospects for 2009
Minor League Ball — ... 1) Carlos Santana, C, Grade B+: .287/.413/.515 for Double-A Akron, 90 walks, 83 strikeouts in 421 at-bats. Looks great to me. ...

minor lines, 9/18/09
McCovey Chronicles — ... and had a walk; (b) Thomas Neal reached base four times; (c) Mike McBryde had three hits; and (d) Paul Oseguera allowed 2 ER in 5.2 IP pitching at High Desert. AAA: Fresno ended its season on Labor Day AA: Connecticut defeated Akron 8-7 (but still trail 2-1 in the best-of-five series) Connecticut: CF Mike McBryde: 3 for 5, SO, SB Connecticut: DH Eddy Martinez-Esteve: 0 for 1, 3 BB Connecticut: PH-LF Bobby Felmy: 1 for 1, 2B Akron: C Carlos Santana: 1 for 4, HR, BB, SO Akron: 3B Lonnie Chisenhall: 3 for, 4 ...

minor lines, 9/19/09
McCovey Chronicles — ... most individual highlight-worthy line in their final games of the year was (a) Eric Surkamp with 3 ER but 12 K in 8.0 IP. AAA: Fresno ended its season on Labor Day AA: Connecticut lost to Akron 10-6 (losing the Eastern League championship series 3-1) Connecticut: 2B Brock Bond: 2 for 4, BB Connecticut: CF Mike McBryde: 1 for 5, 2B, 2 SO, GiDP Connecticut: LF-3B Brad Boyer: 2 for 4, SO Connecticut: LF Bobby Felmy: 2 for 2 Akron: C Carlos Santana: 2 for 3, HR, 2 BB Akron: RF John Drennen: 2 for ...

Game 156: Cleveland 9, Baltimore 0
Let's Go Tribe! — ... has done well in his September audition, it would behoove the Indians to keep Shoppach around another season. Let Shoppach and Marson share time early in the season, and when Carlos Santana is ready, then deal Shoppach away. ...

What does 2009 tell us about the future of Cabrera and Valbuena?
Let's Go Tribe! — ... is a tremendous talent; he's shown what he can accomplish at the major league level.  Provided that he is able to recover fully from his physical ailments of this year, there is no reason to think he can't be a very productive player for as long as he remains with the Indians, one of the top centerfielders in the league.  There is not really much to examine or analyze there - at least not without medical information and knowledge that we don't really have access to.  Carlos Santana certainly looks like a great prospect.  For now, he ...

Fire Everyone! - Mark Shapiro
Let's Go Tribe! — ... if he were available? Shapiro's calling card is turning walk-year veterans into prospects who become multi-year contributors to the team — a truly staggering haul, including Grady Sizemore, Cliff Lee, Coco Crisp, Shin-Soo Choo, Travis Hafner, Milton Bradley, Franklin Gutierrez, Asdrubal Cabrera, Josh Bard and Kelly Shoppach.  Add to that list, potentially, over the next several years, Matt LaPorta, Carlos Santana, Luis Valbuena, Michael Brantley, Lou ...

Top 50 PRE-SEASON Hitting Prospects in Review
Minor League Ball — ... Andrew McCutchen, OF, Pittsburgh Pirates       Hit .286/.365/.471 with 22 steals for the Pittsburgh Pirates, a very successful rookie campaign.  16) Matt Gamel, 3B, Milwaukee Brewers       Hit .242/.338/.422 in 61 games for the Brewers, .278/.367/.473 in 75 games for Triple-A Nashville. I think he'll hit, but defensive position remains in doubt.  17) Carlos Santana, C, Cleveland Indians     Hit ...

Fantasy Baseball: 2010 AL Catcher dynasty/keeper rankings
FakeTeams — ... his production across the board. He's not going to put up excellent numbers, but he isn't going to go all Chris Iannetta on you and tank. 7. A.J. Pierzynski- Another guy who shouldn't put up great numbers, but won't completely kill you. He's likely good for 10-15 HR with an average near .280. 8. Jarrod Saltalamacchia- Nothing special, but still kind of young. 9. Miguel Olivo- Nothing special, but there's not much left. 10. Carlos Santana/Jesus Montero- Now, I can't predict the future to know if ...

Minor Improvements: Offense
Let's Go Tribe! — ... most improved seasons by minor league offensive players is that they were already top prospects.  Amazingly, Carlos Santana might have had the most improved season of any Indians minor leaguer, despite coming off a sensational 2008 season. ...

DeJon Watson talks with TBLA
True Blue LA — ... Tony Delmonico followed the Russ Martin, Carlos Santana, Lucas May playbook and was converted to a catcher. How did you and your scouts feel that worked out and is that going to stick? - Tony will stay at catcher and we felt he was making excellent progress when he was hurt and had to move from behind the plate. ...

How Dodgers Became Dodgers: Where Pedro Astacio Becomes Blake DeWitt
True Blue LA — ...   Casey Blake Date Transaction 8/13/04 signed Carlos Santana as an amateur free agent 6/7/05 ...