Santiago Promoted to Birmingham
May 22, 2011 - Carolina League (CarL1)
Winston-Salem Dash News Release
WINSTON-SALEM, NC - The Winston-Salem Dash announced today that LHP Hector Santiago has been promoted to AA Birmingham. In a corresponding roster move, RHP J.R. Ballinger will join the Dash from low-A Kannapolis.
Santiago was in his third season with Winston-Salem, but first as a starting pitcher. He was 2-3 with a 3.68 ERA in eight starts. In his most recent outing, Santiago threw a career-high eight innings and allowed three runs in a loss on May 19 against Myrtle Beach. He also set a career-high in strikeouts earlier this season when he fanned 11 in five innings on April 16 vs. Kinston (ND). Santiago's last three starts for Winston-Salem have been quality (2-1, 2.25 ERA, 20 IP).
Before 2011, the Newark, NJ native made only one career start. On August 25, 2010 in the second game of a doubleheader in Lynchburg, Santiago threw five scoreless innings but didn't get a decision. As a reliever with Winston Salem, Santiago made 74 appearances in 2008 and 2009. He went 8-9 with three saves and a 4.20 ERA out of the bullpen during those seasons.
Santiago was originally drafted by the White Sox in the 30th round of the 2006 MLB First-Year Player Draft. He attended Okaloosa-Walton Community College (Niceville, FL), which is now known as Northwest Florida State College.
Ballinger appeared in ten games in relief for low-A Kannapolis this season. He registered a 2-3 record with two saves and a 1.80 ERA in 15 innings for the Intimidators. Ballinger most recently threw on May 16 against West Virginia and got the loss after allowing one run in an inning of work.
The Moss Point, MS native spent 2010 in Kannapolis and went 0-5 with one save and a 3.13 ERA in 35 appearances. In his first 16 appearances, he didn't allow an earned run (23 IP, 20 K). Ballinger was originally drafted in the 11th round of the 2009 MLB First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Southern Mississippi. He earned Conference USA All-Freshman honors in 2007 after posting a 2.28 ERA in 21 appearances, and not allowing an extra-base hit all season.
The Dash roster stands at the Carolina League limit of 25 players.
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