Leonel Santiago (minors)

Leonel Santiago Ortiz

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 0", Weight 180 lb.

• Born December 23, 1989 in Santo Domingo, Distrito Nacional Dominican Republic

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

Pitcher Leonel Santiago played in the minor leagues from 2007 to 2011 and from 2013 to 2014.

Signed by the Kansas City Royals as an international free agent on June 21, 2007, Santiago began his professional career at 17 years old with the DSL Royals that year. He remained there through 2008. In 2009, he played for the AZL Royals and in 2010, he was with the Burlington Royals. He earned a spot on the Midwest League Mid-Season All-Star team in 2011 and went 7-7 with a 3.06 ERA in 18 starts for the Kane County Cougars that year overall. After missing 2012 to right labrum surgery, Santiago returned for 2013 and pitched for the Lexington Legends and Wilmington Blue Rocks. The Royals let him go following 2013 and he signed as a free agent with the Tampa Bay Rays. After he went 2-6 with a 6.03 ERA in 17 games (14 starts) for the Charlotte Stone Crabs, the Rays released him.

Santiago joined the Dominican national team for the 2015 Pan American Games. He started against Nicaragua, allowing six hits, one walk and four runs in five innings in a no-decision; Willy Lebrón relieved him and got the win.