Enyel De Los Santos Polanco Bio
Enyel De Los Santos Polanco (born December 25, 1995) is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher who currently plays for the Houston Astros of Major League Baseball (MLB). The right-hander has established himself as a versatile reliever across multiple MLB organizations, having appeared for eight different clubs since his debut in 2018. De Los Santos signed with the Seattle Mariners as an international free agent in 2014 and has compiled a career record of 20 wins and 11 losses with a 4.49 earned run average and 357 strikeouts through June 28, 2026. He made baseball history on August 16, 2025, by recording the first-ever two-pitch, three-out inning in MLB history while pitching for the Astros.
Early Life and Background
De Los Santos was born in San Pedro de Macorís, a city in the Dominican Republic known for producing numerous professional baseball players. He attended Liceo Gastón Fernández de Lino during his youth. Growing up in the Dominican Republic, De Los Santos developed his passion for baseball at a young age, as the sport serves as a primary path to professional success and international recognition for athletes from the country.
Path to Professional Baseball
De Los Santos signed with the Seattle Mariners as an international free agent on July 17, 2014, beginning his professional career. He made his professional debut in 2015, splitting the season between the Arizona League Mariners and the Everett AquaSox. During that inaugural professional campaign, he posted a combined record of 6 wins without any losses, recorded a 3.47 earned run average, and recorded 71 strikeouts across 62 and one-third innings pitched.
The San Diego Padres acquired De Los Santos along with Nelson Ward from the Mariners in exchange for Joaquín Benoit on November 12, 2015. The Padres assigned him to the Single-A Fort Wayne TinCaps to begin the 2016 season, where he posted a 3-2 record with a 2.91 earned run average in 11 appearances. He earned a promotion to the High-A Lake Elsinore Storm, finishing the season with a 5-3 record and a 4.35 earned run average while earning Midwest League All-Star honors.
Enyel De Los Santos Polanco Career
Minor League Development (2015–2017)
In 2017, De Los Santos pitched for the San Antonio Missions of the Double-A Texas League. He emerged as one of the circuit’s top performers, posting a 10-6 record with a 3.78 earned run average that ranked eighth in the league. He recorded a 1.19 walks plus hits per inning pitched that ranked fifth in the league, and his 138 strikeouts ranked third in the Texas League across 150 innings pitched in 26 appearances. He earned Texas League Pitcher of the Week honors on April 16 and August 13, 2017.
Philadelphia Phillies (2018–2019, 2021)
The Phillies acquired De Los Santos from the Padres on December 15, 2017, in exchange for Freddy Galvis. He began the 2018 season with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs of Triple-A, where he earned Phillies Minor League Co-Pitcher of the Month for April honors and represented the organization at the All-Star Futures Game. His standout Triple-A performance included a 10-5 record with a 2.63 earned run average that ranked second in the International League, along with 110 strikeouts across 126 and two-thirds innings.
The Phillies promoted De Los Santos to the major leagues on July 10, 2018. He made his MLB debut that same day, earning the win after allowing three runs and striking out 6 batters over six and one-third innings in a spot start against the New York Mets. He finished the 2018 season with Philadelphia with a 1-0 record, a 4.74 earned run average, and 15 strikeouts across 19 innings. He returned to the Phillies organization in 2021, appearing in 28 games and posting a 6.75 earned run average before the Pirates claimed him off waivers.
Pittsburgh Pirates (2021)
The Pittsburgh Pirates claimed De Los Santos off waivers from the Phillies on September 13, 2021. He appeared in 7 games for Pittsburgh, recording a 4.91 earned run average with 6 strikeouts across seven and one-third innings. The Pirates outrighted him to Triple-A Indianapolis on November 5, 2021, removing him from their 40-man roster. De Los Santos declined the minor league assignment and elected free agency two days later.
Cleveland Guardians (2022–2023)
De Los Santos signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Guardians on December 1, 2021, with an invitation to spring training. He did not make the Opening Day roster and began the 2022 season with the Triple-A Columbus Clippers. The Guardians selected his contract on April 20, 2022, as a COVID-19 replacement player. On September 27, 2022, De Los Santos pitched an immaculate inning against the Tampa Bay Rays, striking out all three batters on nine pitches.
During the 2022 season, De Los Santos went 5-0 with a 3.04 earned run average and a 1.069 walks plus hits per inning pitched across 53 and one-third innings. In 2023, he transitioned to a bullpen role, making 70 appearances for the Guardians with a 3.29 earned run average and 62 strikeouts across 65 and two-thirds innings. The Guardians traded him to the San Diego Padres on November 17, 2023, in exchange for Scott Barlow.
San Diego Padres Second Stint (2024)
De Los Santos returned to the San Diego Padres in 2024 following the trade from Cleveland. He appeared in 44 games for San Diego, compiling a 4.46 earned run average with 48 strikeouts across 40 and one-third innings. The Padres traded him to the New York Yankees on July 30, 2024, along with Thomas Balboni Jr., in exchange for Brandon Lockridge.
New York Yankees (2024)
De Los Santos struggled during his brief stint with the Yankees, appearing in 5 games and posting a 14.21 earned run average with 5 strikeouts across six and one-third innings. The Yankees designated him for assignment on August 14, 2024. The Chicago White Sox claimed him off waivers two days later.
Chicago White Sox (2024)
De Los Santos joined the White Sox in August 2024 and showed improved results, compiling a 3.63 earned run average with 13 strikeouts across 17 and one-third innings in 15 appearances. The White Sox non-tendered him on November 22, 2024, making him a free agent.
Atlanta Braves (2025)
De Los Santos signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves on December 15, 2024. He made the team’s Opening Day roster after the Braves selected his contract on March 21, 2025. In 43 appearances for Atlanta, he compiled a 4.53 earned run average with 38 strikeouts across 43 and two-thirds innings. The Braves designated him for assignment on July 30, 2025, following the acquisition of Tyler Kinley. He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers on August 4 but elected free agency rather than accepting the assignment.
Houston Astros (2025–Present)
De Los Santos signed a major league contract with the Houston Astros on August 7, 2025. He made immediate history with his new team, recording the first-ever two-pitch, three-out inning in MLB history during the eleventh inning on August 16, 2025. Ryan Mountcastle flew out on the first pitch, and on the next offering, Dylan Beavers lined out to second baseman Ramón Urías, who threw to third baseman Carlos Correa to tag the automatic runner and complete the double play, ending the historic inning.
Notable Events and Milestones
De Los Santos achieved two historic pitching milestones in his career. On September 27, 2022, while with the Cleveland Guardians, he pitched an immaculate inning against the Tampa Bay Rays, striking out all three batters on nine pitches. More remarkably, on August 16, 2025, with the Houston Astros, he became the first pitcher in MLB history to record a two-pitch, three-out inning, accomplishing a feat many believed impossible. These accomplishments highlight his ability to dominate hitters with efficiency and precision.
Enyel De Los Santos Polanco Career Wins
Throughout his MLB career spanning from 2018 through the 2025 season, De Los Santos has compiled a career record of 20 wins against 11 losses with a 4.49 earned run average and 357 strikeouts. His career has been defined by versatility, appearing as both a starter and reliever across multiple organizations. He has demonstrated the ability to pitch effectively in high-leverage situations, as evidenced by his career highlights including the immaculate inning and historic two-pitch performance.
Major League Baseball Highlights
De Los Santos made his MLB debut with the Philadelphia Phillies on July 10, 2018, earning the win in his debut appearance against the New York Mets. His most successful professional season came in 2018 with Triple-A Lehigh Valley, where he posted a 10-5 record with a 2.63 earned run average. In the majors, his standout campaigns include the 2022 season with Cleveland, where he went 5-0 with a 3.04 earned run average, and his 2023 performance with 70 appearances and a 3.29 earned run average out of the bullpen.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a transformative year for De Los Santos. He began the year with the Atlanta Braves after signing a minor league contract in December 2024 and making their Opening Day roster. After 43 appearances with Atlanta, he was designated for assignment in late July and elected free agency rather than accepting an outright assignment to the minors.
De Los Santos caught on with the Houston Astros in early August 2025, signing a major league contract on August 7. He wasted no time making an impact, recording the first-ever two-pitch, three-out inning in MLB history during his fifth appearance with the team on August 16. This historic accomplishment, which came against the Baltimore Orioles’ lineup, demonstrated his ability to retire batters efficiently with a limited number of pitches. The performance drew national attention and solidified his place in MLB history as the only pitcher to achieve this feat.