Pirates add shortstop prospect in deal for Santana

SAN DIEGO -- The Pirates made the first of likely several Trade Deadline moves Thursday, sending veteran first baseman Carlos Santana to the Brewers in exchange for shortstop prospect Jhonny Severino.

Severino, 18, headlined the Brewers’ 2022 international signing class, signing for $1.23 million out of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. After posting a .724 OPS with three home runs and 10 steals in 48 games in the Dominican Summer League last season, Severino had an .871 OPS with four home runs and five steals in 12 games for the Brewers’ Arizona Complex League affiliate this season. On the 20-80 scouting scale, MLB Pipeline assessed Severino as having 55-grade power and a 55-grade arm.

During his brief time in the Minor Leagues, Severino has primarily played shortstop (243 1/3 innings), but also seen a good chunk of time at third base (123 1/3 innings). This year, however, Severino has spent more time at third base (54 innings) than shortstop (26 1/3 innings).

"He walks in the door and he looks like somebody that would be a free safety at the University of Alabama," Brewers GM Matt Arnold said. "I mean, it's that kind of athletic, physical specimen. He's big shoulders, can barely fit through the door. He runs well, has a chance to play on the dirt, has power. All the ingredients of a guy you would hope to get. They [the Pirates and their fans] should be happy to get this player because he's a really good prospect."

Santana, who signed a one-year, $6.725 million deal with the Pirates this offseason, hit .235/.321/.412 across 94 games with 12 home runs and a 98 OPS+. On the defensive end, Santana led all first basemen in baseball with six defensive runs saved and ranked in the 78th percentile of Outs Above Average. On June 30, Santana orchestrated one of the Pirates’ iconic moments of the season, hitting a two-run, walk-off home run against Milwaukee’s Matt Bush and busting out a series of dance moves before touching home plate.

Along with his on-field production, Santana served as a respected clubhouse leader for the Pirates, embracing a mentorship role for the team’s litany of rookies and sophomores. After Oneil Cruz fractured his fibula on April 9, Santana and Andrew McCutchen led a clubhouse meeting that provided a sense of calm during a tumultuous time.

With the Pirates trading Santana, it will not be surprising if the club also elects to deal its other healthy veterans on one-year contracts. That list includes Rich Hill, Ji Man Choi and Austin Hedges. Andrew McCutchen also qualifies, but McCutchen expressed his desire to remain in Pittsburgh amidst trade rumors last month.

“I think [Santana’s leadership] is really important,” said manager Derek Shelton of Santana during Spring Training. “It’s one of the reasons we targeted Carlos in the offseason. Obviously he’s a switch-hitter, but his ability to lead is something that’s really important. I think we’ve seen that during Spring Training and, especially having younger Latin players, the ability to lead that group. It’s not isolated to just them, but he does a really good job leading and that’s important to us.”

As far as first base moving forward, Choi and Connor Joe now stand to receive the majority of playing time at the position. Third baseman Jared Triolo and catcher Endy Rodríguez are also capable of playing first base as well, having done so in the Minor Leagues. Choi, though, may not be a Pirate for too much longer either.

Since returning from the injured list with a left Achilles injury, Choi is hitting .250/.286/.656 with four home runs and a 140 wRC+. When asked about his recent string of home runs, Choi remarked (through team interpreter Daniel Park), “If I knew what I was doing, I'd be God.” Choi is currently making $4.65 million after losing to the Pirates in his final year of arbitration and is set to become a free agent this offseason.