Scouting Report

Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Slider: 60 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 55 | Overall: 50

Signed for just $10,000 out of the Dominican Republic in 2019, Santos had his pro debut delayed until 2021 by the pandemic but progressed nicely until getting tuned up for a 6.29 ERA at High-A in 2023. He made some mechanical adjustments at the end of that season that paid off with a breakout last year between that level and Double-A. He led the system in wins (11) and strikeouts (138 in 110 1/3 innings), pitched in the Futures Game and claimed a spot on the the Rangers' 40-man roster.

Santos' fastball added a couple of ticks of velocity in 2024, sitting at 94-96 mph and maxing out at 98 with natural cut and ride. He also tightened his mid-80s slider into a legitimate plus offering that he can throw by hitters in the zone or get them to chase. His mid-80s changeup isn't as reliable as his other two pitches, but it plummets at the plate when it's working right.

Santos is just 6 feet tall and lacks physicality, but he's athletic and provides plenty of strikes from a flat approach angle. He surrendered eight homers in 10 Double-A starts, mostly on heaters that he didn't locate high enough in the zone. Once he refines his fastball command and changeup consistency, he could be a mid-rotation starter.

Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 55 | Overall: 50

A $10,000 bargain from the Rangers' 2019 international class, Santos didn't make his pro debut until two years later because of the pandemic. The Dominican seemed poised for a breakout after having a strong 2022 season in Single-A and showing increased velocity the following spring, but he got rocked to the tune of a 6.29 ERA in High-A last year. He made some mechanical adjustments toward the end of 2023 that have paid off with a strong start this spring.

Santos' fastball already ranked among the best in the system when it sat at 92-95 mph in 2022, because he has natural cut and ride, a flat approach angle and command. Now it's parking in the mid-90s and touching 98, making it even more difficult for batters to handle. He also has tightened up his mid-80s slider and improved his ability to locate it, making it a solid offering.

Santos' mid-80s changeup earns similar grades and plummets at the plate when it's on. Though he's 6 feet tall and lacks physicality, he's athletic and provides consistent strikes, so he should be able to stick as a starter. He's quickly becoming one of Texas' top pitching prospects and could develop into a mid-rotation starter.

Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 55 | Control: 50 | Overall: 40 

Signed for just $10,000 out of the Dominican Republic in 2019, Santos initially drew little attention in a Rangers international class headlined by bonus babies Bayron Lora ($3.9 million) and Maximo Acosta ($1.65 million). The pandemic delayed Santos pro debut until 2021, but he stood out at Low-A Down East at age 20 last year, fashioning a 3.49 ERA with 108 strikeouts in 108 1/3 innings. His fastball velocity jumped this spring and he continues to make progress with his slider, though command issues have hampered his progress in High-A. 

Even when it sat at 92-95 mph in 2022, Santos' heater already ranked among the best in the system because of its natural cutting action, his flat approach angle and his ability to command it. It could become a well above-average pitch if he can maintain the 95-98 mph velocity he displayed in Spring Training after spending the offseason at Texas' Arizona training base to build up strength. He has advanced feel for a mid-80s changeup that drops off the table when at its best. 

Santos entered pro ball with a curveball but since has switched to a slider that's gaining consistency and shows flashes of becoming an effective mid-80s sweeper. At 6 feet tall, he's a bit on the small side for a starter, but he's athletic and throws strikes with all of his pitches. The next step will be to do a better job of locating his offerings where he wants in the strike zone. 

Awards

Futures Game Selection

Year	Team
2024

SAL Pitcher of the Week

Week	Team
04/21/2024

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	03/09/2025	Texas Rangers optioned RHP Winston Santos to Round Rock Express.
	03/06/2025	activated RHP Winston Santos.
	11/19/2024	Texas Rangers selected the contract of RHP Winston Santos from Frisco RoughRiders.
	11/19/2024	Texas Rangers activated RHP Winston Santos.
	07/15/2024	Frisco RoughRiders activated RHP Winston Santos.
	07/14/2024	American League Futures activated RHP Winston Santos.
	07/12/2024	Frisco RoughRiders placed RHP Winston Santos on the temporarily inactive list.
	07/12/2024	American League Futures activated RHP Winston Santos from the temporarily inactive list.
	06/25/2024	RHP Winston Santos assigned to Frisco RoughRiders from Hickory Crawdads.
	06/25/2024	Frisco RoughRiders activated RHP Winston Santos.
	05/17/2023	Hickory Crawdads activated RHP Winston Santos from the 7-day injured list.
	05/10/2023	Hickory Crawdads placed RHP Winston Santos on the 7-day injured list retroactive to May 9, 2023.
	04/06/2023	RHP Winston Santos assigned to Hickory Crawdads from Down East Wood Ducks.
	04/08/2022	RHP Winston Santos assigned to Down East Wood Ducks.
	07/16/2021	RHP Winston Santos assigned to ACL Rangers from DSL Rangers1.
	07/11/2021	RHP Winston Santos assigned to DSL Rangers1.
	07/02/2019	Texas Rangers signed free agent RHP Winston Santos to a minor league contract.