FSL1 Jupiter Hammerheads

Santos joins Hammerheads

Published on May 8, 2006 under Florida State League (FSL1)
Jupiter Hammerheads News Release


Around 11:00 on Saturday afternoon, I received a phone call regarding a player transaction. Besides informing the league and updating the roster, my job on this particular instance was much more important. It was my responsibility to pick up Jarrett Santos from the airport at 1:50. Initially reluctant to making the trip to West Palm Beach International, my feelings gradually changed. First, I checked the media guide to see the stats of Jarrett Santos, so I could check into the caliber of player I was picking up.

Santos went 7-4 in Greensboro with a 3.70 ERA in 2005. In 88.2 innings, he allowed 42 earned runs while striking out 52. His brief 2006 stats improved even more. He had appeared in six games for a total 11.1 innings and only gave up two runs and walked one batter. I decided to look into his biography for more interesting information, because I wanted to make it seem like I actually knew who he was when I arrived. Immediately after searching for his name on the internet, I noticed he was the 2003 Cape Cod Baseball League leader in saves. After gathering all this information, I came to the conclusion that he was a closer and did not walk many batters.

Arriving at the airport at 1:50, I made a phone call to Santos to arrange where to pick him up and find out what he was wearing so I could spot him. One could compare the process as similar to a blind date. As I approached the arrival section of the airport, there was the 6'4'' right-handed pitcher (that part was stamped on his forehead) with a backpack, one suitcase, and an Easton baseball bag. Throwing his bags into my car as if he was throwing a side arm wild pitch, we were off and ready to head back to Roger Dean Stadium to meet his new teammates.

After he got in the car and we did the whole introduction thing, (I told him I'm not a taxi service, so don't get used to it) I decided to bring up his closing experience down the cape.

Editors Note: I am from Boston and even though Cape Cod is up north, it's still "down the Cape".

The first thing he says to me regarding his closer experience was, "I'm not a closer. I am a reliever. The player we had (in Brewster) got injured and they needed someone. I got everyone out and ended up leading the league in saves." Santos sure has a closers mentality even if that's not his forte. As a reliever Santos thrives off of quick innings. He claims that he works fast and throws strikes without walking many batters. The night that he found out he was getting called up to the Hammerheads, he had just completed a seven-pitch inning against the Lakewood Blueclaws. With innings like that he could pitch every night, which is almost what Santos would prefer.

I asked the generic question of would you like to be a starter or a reliever, and I got an answer I never thought I would hear. Initially, Santos said, "I would like to stay a reliever and work all the time. I prefer working consistently". Then he backtracked, and I got an answer you expect a little league pitcher to say. "If I could have it exactly how I would want it, I would be a starter and then take a day off. Then I would come out and be a reliever for a few appearances and then take a day off before starting again".

I have a feeling the Marlins organization and Josh Seligman the Hammerheads trainer would not be inclined to let this approach take place. However, they have to be excited about his desire to pitch. Jarrett Santos believes now that he has the chance to showcase what he has to offer as a pitcher at a higher level, the Marlins organization will be pleasantly surprised.

Check out the Jupiter Hammerheads Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Florida State League Stories from May 8, 2006


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central