Fautino De Los Santos

De Los Santos has transitioned to a relief role full time, though control still continues to be an issue. He walked 12 batters in 19.2 innings at Triple-A Sacramento and 17 batters in 33.1 innings with the A's in 2011. His 43 strikeouts in 33.1 innings with the A's were in line his career norms, showcasing bat-missing stuff in his first exposure to major league hitters. The trade of Andrew Bailey to Boston should elevate De Los Santos to a more prominent role out of the A's bullpen. He's behind Grant Balfour at a minimum, however, and his control needs to improve if he's going to become a long-term option in the ninth inning.

De Los Santos is just getting his career back on track following Tommy John surgery back in the early part of 2008. He advanced all the way to Double-A Midland, making 25 appearances and fanning 51 batters in 31.2 innings along the way. He'll likely be transitioned back into the rotation in 2011 after making 37 relief appearances. He'll need his control to rebound a bit (often the last thing to come back following Tommy John surgery) to project beyond a mid-rotation flamethrower.

He exploded onto the scene at Low-A, allowing just 49 hits and 36 walks in 97.2 innings while fanning 121. The rarest of breeds (seriously, when is the last time a 21-year-old Dominican pitcher tipped the scales at 205?), De Los Santos features a big-time fastball, a power curve and a developing changeup. He handled a promotion to High-A well (24.2 innings, 20 hits, 32:7 K:BB ratio) and is definitely one to keep an eye on. He's at least two years away and will spend most of 2008 at High-A, but will now do it in the A's farm system, following his inclusion in the Nick Swisher deal.