Detroit Tigers: Top 20 prospects for 2022 – Part One

Detroit Tigers No. 13 Prospect – Christian Santana – IF

Oddly enough, the advent of a hard cap on spending for international free agents has led to the Detroit Tigers making larger investments in that market than ever before. Christian Santana became their biggest signing yet, garnering a $2.95 million bonus as the headliner from their 2020 class. His strong professional debut suggests he might be their best international prospect in years.

It’s best to avoid making too much of rookie-level stats, but Santana’s wRC+ was good for 5th in the DSL thanks to a solid combination of power and patience. Scouting reports from his time as an amateur suggest Santana has a chance to develop into an above-average hitter. Santana split his time between shortstop and third base this season, but it seems likely he’ll eventually settle in as a second baseman. Santana will likely make his U.S. debut in the Florida Complex League in 2022, but there’s an outside chance the organization pushes him to Low-A Lakeland.