Santiago Jesus Florez (born May 9, 2000) is a Colombian professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent.
| Santiago Florez | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free agent | |||||||||||||||
| Pitcher | |||||||||||||||
| Born: May 9, 2000 Barranquilla, Colombia | |||||||||||||||
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |||||||||||||||
Medals
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Career
editPittsburgh Pirates
editOn July 2, 2016, Florez signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates for a $150,000 signing bonus.[1] He made his professional debut for the Dominican Summer League Pirates, starting 14 contests and posting a 4.56 ERA with 30 strikeouts.[2] In 2018, Florez pitched for the rookie–level Gulf Coast League Pirates, starting 10 games and recording a 4.15 ERA with 35 strikeouts across 43+1⁄3 innings pitched.[3] In 2019, he pitched for the rookie–level Bristol Pirates, making 10 starts and registering a 2–2 record and 3.46 ERA with 36 strikeouts across 41+2⁄3 innings of work.[4]
Florez did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[5] He returned to action in 2021 with the Single–A Bradenton Marauders and High–A Greensboro Grasshoppers. In 21 games (18 starts), Florez accumulated an 8–5 record and 4.14 ERA with 107 strikeouts and one save across 95+2⁄3 innings pitched.[6]
In 2022, Florez returned to Greensboro, pitching in 32 games and struggling to a 6.50 ERA with 61 strikeouts across 63+2⁄3 innings of work.[7] He began the 2023 season with the Greensboro, his third straight year with the affiliate.[8] In 37 relief appearances, he struggled to a 7.08 ERA with 40 strikeouts across 40+2⁄3 innings of work. Florez elected free agency following the season on November 6, 2023.[9]
Sioux City Explorers
editOn January 30, 2024, Florez signed with the Sioux City Explorers of the American Association of Professional Baseball.[10] In 10 appearances for the Explorers, he compiled a 4.09 ERA with 8 strikeouts across 11 innings pitched. Florez was released by Sioux City on July 25.[11]
International career
editFlorez represented the Colombia national baseball team in the 2023 World Baseball Classic,[12] pitching in Colombia's game against the United States.[13] Florez was part of the Colombian squad that won the gold medal at the 2023 Pan American Games contested in Santiago, Chile in October 2023.[14]
References
edit- ^ Dreker, John (July 3, 2016). "Pirates Sign Three Players From Colombia - Pirates Prospects".
- ^ Dreker, John (September 22, 2017). "2017 DSL Pirates Recap: A Season Highlighted by Two Breakout Hitters and Young Pitching Talent - Pirates Prospects".
- ^ Dreker, John (September 10, 2018). "GCL Top Ten Prospects: A Group Led by Two Prep Pitchers and the Top International Signing - Pirates Prospects".
- ^ Dreker, John (September 4, 2019). "Bristol Pirates Season Recap: A Young Pitching Staff and a Playoff Drought Ended - Pirates Prospects".
- ^ "2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled". mlb.com. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
- ^ "Santiago Florez Stats & Scouting Report". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
- ^ "Santiago Florez - Stats - Pitching". fangraphs.com. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
- ^ Miller, Wilbur (April 6, 2023). "Pirates 2023 Minor League Previews: Greensboro Grasshoppers - Pirates Prospects".
- ^ "2023 MiLB Free Agents". baseballamerica.com. 8 November 2023. Retrieved February 1, 2024.
- ^ "2024 Transactions". aabaseball.com. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
- ^ "2024 Transactions". aabaseball.com. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
- ^ Gorman, Kevin (March 5, 2023). "'Being part of it is really special': Pirates players thrilled to participate in World Baseball Classic". TribLIVE.com.
- ^ "USA beats Colombia to advance to WBC quarters - Gallery Sports". March 16, 2023.
- ^ Sanhueza, Italo (28 October 2023). "Colombia makes history with first gold in baseball". Panam Sports (in Spanish). Retrieved 3 January 2024.
External links
edit- Career statistics from Baseball Reference (Minors)
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