Anthony Roger Santander Bio
Anthony Roger Santander (born October 19, 1994) is a Venezuelan professional baseball outfielder who currently plays for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball (MLB). Originally signed by the Cleveland Indians in 2011, Santander was selected by the Baltimore Orioles in the 2016 Rule 5 Draft and went on to become one of the most consistent power hitters in the American League. He made his MLB debut in 2017 and established himself as a switch-hitting force over seven seasons with Baltimore before signing a lucrative long-term deal with Toronto. Santander earned his first All-Star selection and won the Silver Slugger Award in 2024 after setting a franchise record for home runs by a switch-hitter in a single season.
Early Life and Background
Santander was born on Margarita Island, Nueva Esparta, Venezuela, an island located off the Venezuelan coast. Although born on the island, he grew up in and feels most connected to the mainland municipality of Agua Blanca, where he returns during the winter months. Growing up in Venezuela, Santander developed his passion for baseball at a young age, honing the switch-hitting skills that would later become a defining characteristic of his professional career.
Path to Major League Baseball
Santander signed with the Cleveland Indians as an international free agent on July 2, 2011, taking his first step toward professional baseball. He made his professional debut in 2012 with the Arizona League Indians, beginning his journey through the minor leagues. From 2013 to 2015, he played for the Lake County Captains, where his development was interrupted by a right elbow injury in 2013 that caused him to miss part of the following season. Despite the setback, he posted a .290 batting average with 20 home runs and 95 RBIs in 2016 with the Lynchburg Hillcats, demonstrating the offensive potential that would eventually earn him a spot on a major league roster.
Anthony Roger Santander Career
Baltimore Orioles Era (2017–2024)
The Baltimore Orioles selected Santander from the Indians in the 2016 Rule 5 Draft, acquiring a player who would become a cornerstone of their lineup for nearly a decade. He made his major league debut on August 18, 2017, at Camden Yards against the Los Angeles Angels. In his rookie season, he appeared in 30 at-bats and batted .267. The following years saw him gradually establish himself as an everyday player, with his breakthrough coming in 2019 when he recorded his first-ever five-hit game and hit 20 home runs with 59 RBIs in 93 games.
Santander continued to be a reliable presence in the Orioles lineup through the 2020 and 2021 seasons. In 2020, he batted .261/.315/.575 with 11 home runs and 32 RBIs in just 37 games, earning the Louis M. Hatter Most Valuable Oriole Award from local media members. The 2021 season saw him make $2.1 million after losing his salary arbitration case against the team. By 2022, he had become one of the most feared switch-hitters in baseball, tying an MLB record by Ken Caminiti in 1996 by hitting home runs from both sides of the plate in a game for the fourth time in a single season.
The 2023 season brought several milestones for Santander. He achieved his first MLB grand slam and five-RBI game in a 9-4 win over the Atlanta Braves, and his two-run homer against the Miami Marlins on July 16 marked the 100th home run of his career. He led American League batters with the highest fly ball percentage at 49.7% and the lowest line drive percentage at 15.3%, showcasing his all-or-nothing approach at the plate. His 2024 campaign proved to be his best season yet, as he was selected to his first All-Star Game and won the Silver Slugger Award after hitting 44 home runs with 102 RBIs while leading all major league players with a 54.8% fly ball percentage. He surpassed Ken Singleton’s 1979 franchise record by hitting his 36th home run as a switch-hitter in a single season, establishing a new Baltimore Orioles record.
Toronto Blue Jays Era (2025–Present)
On January 20, 2025, Santander signed a five-year, $92.5 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays, securing his future with one of MLB’s up-and-coming contenders. However, his first season with Toronto got off to a challenging start as he battled injuries and inconsistent performance. In 50 games before being placed on the injured list with left shoulder inflammation on May 30, 2025, he slashed .179/.273/.304 with six home runs and 18 RBIs. He was transferred to the 60-day injured list on July 4 before being activated on September 23, 2025.
Despite the injury-riddled regular season, Santander made the Blue Jays’ postseason roster for their American League Championship Series run. Unfortunately, back tightness forced his replacement with Joey Loperfido during the ALCS. The 2026 season began with more difficult news when it was announced on February 10 that Santander would miss five-to-six months due to left labral surgery, a significant setback that would require an extended rehabilitation process.
Driving Style and Strengths
Santander is renowned for his switch-hitting ability, a rare trait in modern baseball that allows him to match up favorably against both right-handed and left-handed pitchers. His power is particularly impressive from the left side of the plate, though he has demonstrated the ability to hit home runs from both batters’ boxes. His approach centers on elevating the ball, as evidenced by his consistently high fly ball percentages throughout his career. He led MLB with a 54.8% fly ball rate in 2024 and has shown the capacity to hit for both power and average when healthy.
Notable Events and Milestones
Throughout his career, Santander has achieved numerous memorable moments that highlight his offensive prowess. His five-hit game against the Tampa Bay Rays in August 2019 announced his arrival as a major league hitter. The milestone 100th career home run came on July 16, 2023, against the Miami Marlins. Most impressively, his 2024 season saw him shatter franchise records, earning him his first All-Star selection and Silver Slugger Award while establishing new benchmarks for switch-hitting power in Orioles history.
Anthony Roger Santander Career Wins
Santander has accumulated impressive career statistics across eight major league seasons, establishing himself as one of the premier power hitters at his position. His career totals include 161 home runs and 453 RBIs with a .241 batting average through the 2025 season. His single-season highs came in 2024 with 44 home runs and 102 RBIs.
Major League Baseball Highlights
Santander’s most productive season came in 2024 when he was selected to his first MLB All-Star Game and won the Silver Slugger Award as the top offensive outfielder in the American League. He equaled his career-high with five RBIs in games against the Cincinnati Reds and Texas Rangers and hit a career-best 44 home runs. His 36th home run of the season broke the Baltimore Orioles franchise record for most homers by a switch-hitter in a single season. He led all major league hitters with a 54.8% fly ball percentage that year, demonstrating his elite power-hitting ability.
Other Achievements and Recognition
Prior to his MLB success, Santander showed promise in the minor leagues, particularly during his 2016 season with the Lynchburg Hillcats when he posted a .290 batting average with 20 home runs and 95 RBIs. He earned the Louis M. Hatter Most Valuable Oriole Award in 2020, recognizing him as the most valuable player on the Baltimore Orioles as voted by local media. His international career includes participation with the Venezuela national team at the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
Anthony Roger Santander Family
Family Background and Heritage
Santander maintains strong ties to his Venezuelan roots despite his professional success in North America. Born on Margarita Island but raised primarily in Agua Blanca on the Venezuelan mainland, he returns to his hometown during the winter offseason. His heritage has remained an important part of his identity throughout his career, and he proudly represented Venezuela at the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
Personal Life
Santander continues to focus on his baseball career while managing the physical challenges that come with professional athletics. His recovery from left labral surgery in early 2026 represents a significant chapter in his career trajectory. He has built a reputation as a dedicated professional known for his work ethic and team-first mentality throughout his time with both the Orioles and Blue Jays organizations.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a transition year for Santander as he joined the Toronto Blue Jays on a lucrative five-year contract worth $92.5 million. The season got off to a difficult start as he struggled to find his rhythm at the plate, batting just .179/.273/.304 with six home runs and 18 RBIs through 50 games. His season was derailed by left shoulder inflammation that eventually required placement on the injured list, first on the 10-day IL on May 30 and later transferred to the 60-day injured list on July 4.
Despite the injury setbacks, Santander showed resilience by returning to the active roster on September 23, 2025. His inclusion on the Blue Jays’ postseason roster demonstrated the team’s confidence in his ability to contribute at the highest level, though back tightness during the American League Championship Series prevented him from making an impact in the playoff push. The experience of navigating a challenging first season with a new organization while dealing with physical adversity will likely serve him well as he works toward a full recovery from his labral surgery in 2026.