Joe
Santoro

2.15.15 - 5-foot-11, 175-pound left-handed hitting OF/ambidextrous pitcher hits from a balanced setup, short stride, hands load back smoothly, explodes with lower half in swing, short, slightly uphill bat path, gets extension, line drives from gap-to-gap, occasional back spin, showed the ability to pull the baseball with some power, 86 mph exit velocity off the tee. Defensively, plays outfield left-handed, threw 89 mph from the outfield from loose, high ¾ arm slot, soft hands fielding the baseball, plays through it, quick feet, fluid/clean exchange. Ran a 7.30 60. On the mound, Santoro has been noted for his unique ability to throw with both hands. He sat 86-87 mph from both sides, touching 88 from the right side. His breaking ball, which he had struggled with in the past, looked crisper, showing more of a slider look, in the 72-74 mph range right-handed, and 69-71 mph left-handed. His changeup is in the 74-76 mph range from both sides. Mechanically, Santoro looks pretty identical from both sides, though may drop-and-drive a little more from the left-side. As fun as it is to watch him throw with both hands, his ability as an outfielder should not be discounted, as he’d be a Division-I prospect regardless of whether or not he pitched.

8/2/14 - While Santoro is a legitimate recruit as an outfielder, he created a buzz among college coaches in attendance when he broke out his switch-pitching routine on day three against Team Ohio.  Despite allowing two runs, he showed identical pitching prowess from both sides, sitting 83-85 mph right handed, touching 86, and sitting 84-86 mph from the left side as well.  He invoked comparisons to former Creighton University All-American, and current New York Yankee farmhand Pat Venditte, who has found success as a late-inning bullpen weapon.  Santoro racked up a strikeout from the left side with a sharp breaking 67 mph slider, and if he can improve his breaking balls from both sides, he becomes a valuable recruit for Division-I programs, as he is essentially three players in one.  At the plate, the left-handed hitting Santoro impressed in batting practice hitting from a wide setup spraying line drives, particularly to the opposite field gap.  During games, he ran 4.29-4.44 on several ground outs.  He shows a contact orientated approach, and did not strikeout over three games.  He added an RBI on a HBP in game one, and also walked in game two.

1.19.14 - 5-foot-10, 165-pound, athletic, left handed hitting, two way player. He is a unique prospect who pitches effectively with both arms. Defensively showed athletic actions, solid hands, and quick, fluid footwork. Arm works long and loose, from a high ¾ slot with accuracy and solid carry at 87 mph. Ran a 7.26 60. At the plate he hits from a balanced stance with smooth loading action, short stride, and quality balance through contact. Swing is solid with above average bat speed and barrel whip. Showcased power from gap-to-gap. Exit velocity was 94 mph off a tee. On the mound he throws with both his left arm and right arm. As a LHP, his delivery has smooth rhythm and easy effort. Arm works long and loose from a high ¾ slot. Showed feel for his fastball, sitting 82-84 mph with running action. Throws a slider from a lower arm slot at 73-74 mph with soft action. Changeup was 70-72 mph with cut. As a RHP his delivery is rhythmic and easy. Arm works long and loose from a high ¾ slot. Showed feel for his fastball, sitting 82-83 mph with solid arm side run. Throws a true curveball with 11/5 shape, quality depth, and sharp bite at 64-71 mph. Changeup was 69-70 mph.

9/25/12 - Santoro is an extremely unique talent having the ability to throw with both arms. Santoro throws from a high ¾ arm slot on both sides. He has some cut action on his fastball from both sides at 74-76 mph. His curveball from the right side showed 11/5 action with gradual movement, while his curveball from the left side flashed good depth and bite, both at 61-64 mph. Santoro's changeup from both sides showed a lot of cut action, showing velocities between 67-69 mph.

3/11/12 Santoro is a 5-foot-8, 140-pound two-way player who impressed in all facets of the game.  The switch-throwing pitcher has a high ¾ arm slot from both sides, left and right.  He features a 70-74 mph fastball with run, a 62-64 mph curveball, and a 60-67 mph changeup all from both sides.  Defensively, Santoro is a smooth fielding outfielder with excellent footwork and a strong, accurate arm (75 mph).  At the plate, Santoro has an easy left-handed swing with a balanced setup.  He demonstrated impressive barrel whip through the zone and maintains excellent balance throughout.  He gets good extension as he consistently barreled up the ball to all fields.  Additionally, Santoro ran a 7.76 60. Santoro will attend Carmel Catholic HS in Mundelein.

Santoro is a rare talent, as he is a smooth pitcher who can pitch with either arm, similar to Ryan Perez, a junior from Westminster Christian HS. From the left side, Santoro exhibited a clean arm action and sat at 70 mph with his fastball and topped at 71 mph. He also showed some feel and arm side movement on his changeup. From the right side, he also showed well and sat at 68 mph, displaying good balance and rhythm throughout his mechanics. Offensively, Santoro displayed good hands and consistently found the barrel.