Diego Santana. In his first taste of the bigs, Santana is hitting .373/.429/.747 with 32hr, 92rbi, and a 28/37 BB/K ratio. That's good for 1st overall in RBI, 2nd in HR, 2nd in OPS, and 5th in BA. All while handling the backstop duties and the league's 11th best pitching staff(4.62 team ERA). Santana was signed for a mere 3.2 million as the 10th pick in the draft back in Season 4 by Washington/abracapocus, then traded to Boston as a youngster in the Rookie league(a loophole in the system allowed him to be dealt). Santana murdered minor league pitching to the tune of 164 bombs in 3 seasons, and is now doing the same at the big league level. And while his defensive ratings aren't stellar, they're strong enough to allow him to play respectably behind the dish. Throw in Durability and Health ratings in the 90s, and it's becoming clear that all future Capra catchers will be measured by Santana. Cheer up, abra, we've all let someone get away in a deal here or there. At least you traded him to the AL, where you won't have to face him much.
1/ SP Hugh Palmer . Age 24. AAA. ETA: S10 Selected 13th in the 1st round of the S6 draft, Palmer dominated the lower minors and has averaged a 16-4/3.35 record in 3 minor league seasons. Palmer's big calling card has been the punchout as he's K'd 502 batters in 51o frames. His heater is in the mid-90s and still developing. Palmer comes with 2 good pitchers, the fastball and slider, but could use a better forkball and curveball to sharpen his repertoire. Palmer's about a season away from the bigs and projects to a solid #2 or #3 starter. 2/ SP Vasco Almonte . Age 22. AAA. ETA: S10 A former 1st round draft pick by Atlanta/Chicago, Almonte was traded to Anaheim for fellow prospect Tony Mendoza . Almonte has been consistent in the minors, if unspectacular, with a 4.15 era and 1.32 whip. However, Almonte is just 22 and has progressed quickly through the minors with a AAA season already in the books. If he continues to develop his fastball and change-up he can become a stalwa
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