Benjamin
Santiago

VA/DC Scout Blog

6-foot, 200-pound frame. Solid, evenly proportioned frame. The VCU commit is an offense first profile. Elite hand and bat speed that can really turn the barrel. Small leg lift loading back, lands on line, and really gets the lower half going into the swing. The swing can get a little unorthodox at times, but he has such good hand-eye coordination and feel for the barrel. Santiago, simply put, is a hitter. Turned on a pitch early in the count for a loud, long foul ball and then a pitch or two later gets slightly out of balance, but keeps the hands back and barrel in the zone long enough to shoot a single back through the middle. I do not know if there is one clear cut defensive position for Santiago, but regardless he will find his way into the lineup at the next level because of his athleticism and ability to hit.

VA/DC Scout Blog

The VCU commit and former Team Mid-Atlantic Future Games member got the start on the mound for Freeman. Macho threw four innings and gave up three earned runs along the way. He was a bit scattered with the fastball early on, but settled in nicely. Fastball velo ranged from 82-86 early on and began to climb later in his outing, even touching 88 on three straight pitches in the third inning. Is definitely a positional player and primarily offensive threat over pitcher. At the plate Santiago was one for three with a double to deep right field in his final at bat. In his first at bat he lined out to center field, which was possibly his hardest hit ball of the night. Slightly open athletic stance at the plate, hands make minimal load, and has a direct path to contact. Hits against a firm front side and shows doubles power to all fields with potential for more. Solid hit tool and above average runner that has top half of the order ability. 

PBR Future Games

Athletic 6-foot, 200-pound frame. Santiago is an easy high end runner turning out a 6.84 60 at the Future Games. Santiago continues to shine at the plate. Athletic stance at the plate with rhythm in his hands, short to contact, and elite hand speed through the zone. Santiago has no issue handling velo and has the ability to use the whole field with power potential to all fields. He is a high end bat that can hit for average and power. Defensively he is an adequate defender at third base and second base, but long term may end up in corner outfield and possibly even first base. The swing plays and he continues to trend in the direction of being an early contributor on the offensive side at the next level. Santiago committed to VCU in the past few days.

TPG West

Santiago is 6-0 with an athletic frame that has some strength present and plenty of projection left to it. He hits from the left side from a slightly open taller athletic stance, short leg kick stride on line, smooth load down and back. Hips rotate completely with some violence and he maintains good lower half balance. Hands stay inside, short and fast to the ball, slightly uphill swing path, showed a pull preference with some power present, strong at contact with extension through the ball, exit velocity was 90. In the infield, quick feet, rounds the ball and fields with a wider base and above average hands, works through ball to a quick clean exchange, throws from a low three-quarters slot, position velocity was 81. Ran a 6.80 60 yard dash.

Mid-Atlantic Fall Championships

Solid frame. On the mound, had a more deliberate, build up style delivery on the mound with higher leg kick. Arm worked well and looks to have more in the tank with a fastball that ranged from 78-81 mph. Breaking ball was 66-68 mph and change was at 65 mph. At the plate, hits from a balanced set up. Level path with uphill finish and some bat speed. Defensively, Santiago displayed lateral and linear range from shortstop. Has ability to throw on the run from multiple arm slots and enough arm strength to play the left side. Interesting prospect with some two-way potential.

Freshman Free Showcase 

Santiago Is 5-9 with an athletic frame and strength in his lower half. He hits from the left side from an upright balanced, slightly open stance, leg kick stride online, short smooth load back. Hips rotate completely with violence, maintains some balance. Short quick to the ball, level to contact with extension uphill through the ball and strength at contact, showed good approach working gap to gap, swing has loft built in, exit velocity was 88. On the infield, rounds ball, fields with above average hands and a wide base, works through to a clean exchange, throws from a low 3/4 arm slot infield velocity 79. Ran a 4.02 home to 1st. On the mound, throws a from a low 3/4 arm slot with a short arm action that is free, some effort to his delivery. Shoulders on line and uphill, lands square with a fall off finish simple delivery. Fastball was 79-80 touching 81 with heavy late cut to it. Change-up was 66-68 with good arm speed and late fade. Curveball was 62-64 with some arm speed and gradual 11/5 break, also showed a slider which was much better at 69-70 with good armspeet and sharp 10/4 break.

Freshman Free Showcase 

Santiago is 5-9 with an athletic frame. He hits from an upright open stance, big leg kick stride on line with short load back, has rhythm to his swing. Explosive lower half with some balance to swing. Short to ball, slightly uphill path and line drive swing sets up to pull side, good extension through the ball. Fast bat with power potential, showed ability to use whole field, exit velocity 85. At short, quick clean feet, rounds ball and fields it with a wide base and soft hands. Plays through to a quick clean exchange, throws from a low three-quarters arm slot with a short arm action, infield velocity was 68. Ran a 7.46 60 yard dash. On the mound, throws from a low three-quarters slot with a short arm action and some effort. Shoulders are uphill and closed, lands slightly closed with an athletic finish. Fastball was 71-75 with late cut to it. Curveball was 61-65 with gradual 12/6 break and good armspeed, potential to sharpen as he gets stronger. Change-up was 61-62 with sinking action, slowed arm a bit on the pitch. Cutter had more slider action, ran 68-69 with gradual 10/4 break and some armspeed.