Jose Santana showed speed quickly, saw four pro seasons

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Jose Santana 1990 Asheville Tourists baseball card
Jose Santana showed his speed right away. But he couldn't keep it up.

In his first season as a pro in 1988, Santana stole 22 bases in the rookie Gulf Coast League. He stole those bases in 53 games.

In his second season, largely at short-season Auburn, Santana stole 27 bases over 67 games.

In his third season, though, he stole just two, over 31 games. Those two stolen bases were also his last.

Santana's pro career began in 1987, signed by the Astros as an undrafted free agent out of his native Dominican Republic.

With the Astros, Santana hit the field in 1988 in the Gulf Coast League. In those 53 games, Santana hit .255, knocking in 17 runs.

For 1989, Santana moved to Auburn, getting 61 games there and six at single-A Osceola. Between the two, he hit .260. At Osceola, though, he got just two hits in 11 at bats.

Santana moved to single-A Asheville for 1990. There, he got into just those 31 games. He hit .243, ending his Astros career.


1990 Minor League Tally
Players/Coaches Featured:1,310
Made the Majors: 711 - 54.3%
Never Made Majors: 599-45.7%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 307
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 181

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