January 28, 2026

Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Dennis Santana enjoyed a breakout season in 2025. After tallying only three saves in 2024, Santana spent a significant portion of the 2025 season serving as the primary ninth-inning option in the Steel City, once the team moved David Bednar to New York. Across 70 1/3 innings, Santana posted a strong 2.18 ERA and a 0.87 WHIP. He tallied 16 saves, with 11 of them over his last 25 innings of the season. While his ratios were strong, Santana does not carry the high strikeout potential that most closers do. In 2025, the 29-year-old generated punchouts at a low 22.2% rate, placing him in the 42nd percentile among qualified pitchers. He relies primarily on his slider (46.4% usage), which generated a .238 xwOBA with a 35.7% whiff rate. He mixes in a four-seamer (28.6% usage) that posted a low 14.9% whiff rate with a modest .360 xwOBA. His overall 3.51 xERA suggests he may slightly regress in 2026, but his elite 6.3% BB% should keep his WHIP low. With the Pirates adding Brandon Lowe and Ryan O'Hearn to their lineup and having a healthy Jared Jones and budding ace Bubba Chandler in the majors, Santana could see 25+ save upside given the improving team context. ATC projects him to finish the season just under this mark with 24 saves. He is a prime target for those who opt to build their save totals in the middle rounds at an ADP of 166.7 on NFBC drafts.--Andy Smith