2019 Phillies Prospects Countdown: #5 RHP Enyel De Los Santos

De Los Santos, image- Jay Floyd

Acquired as part of the trade that sent Freddy Galvis to San Diego, Enyel De Los Santos is a talented hurler that instantly landed among the Phillies' top pitching prospects.

A native of the Dominican Republic, De Los Santos signed with Seattle at the age of 18. He would make his professional debut in 2015 in the Rookie level Arizona League. There, he posted a 3-0 record with a 2.55 ERA in five starts. The right-hander earned a promotion to Class A short-season Everett where he would notch a 3-0 record with a 4.06 ERA through eight starts.

During the following off-season, he was traded to the Padres in a deal for Joaquin Benoit.

In 2016, making his debut in the Padres organization, De Los Santos would open the season with Class A Ft. Wayne. In 11 appearances (seven starts) with the Tin Caps, he tallied a 3-2 record with a 2.91 ERA and a .199 batting average against.

De Los Santos was promoted to Class A Advanced Lake Elsinore in June. As a member of the Storm rotation he would sport a 5-3 record with a 4.35 ERA and a 6.8 K/9 mark through 15 starts.

In 2017, he moved up to Double-A San Antonio. There, he posted a 10-6 record with a 3.78 ERA, an 8.3 K/9 mark as well as a .237 BAA. De Los Santos improved greatly as the season went on, seeing his 4.92 ERA in the first half improve after tallying a 2.75 ERA following the All-Star break.  He finished among the Texas League leagers in strike outs, ERA, WHIP and innings pitched. 

Last year, making his Phillies organization debut, De Los Santos had an impressive campaign with Triple-A Lehigh Valley, getting named to the International League All-Star team. In 22 starts for the IronPigs, he collected a 10-5 record with a 2.63 ERA, a complete game shutout, a .226 BAA and a 7.8 K/9 mark. He also was named as the Phillies’ All-Star Futures Game representative.  His ERA was second in the International League behind only teammate Cole Irvin.

Additionally, De Los Santos made seven appearances (two starts) in the big leagues last year. With the Phillies, he had a 1-0 record with a 4.74 ERA while striking out 15 and walking eight in 19 innings.

Listed at six-foot-three 170 pounds, the 23-year-old features a fastball that regularly clocks around 94-95 MPH and features sink to help draw ground ball outs. Additionally, he offers a curve ball, a great change up along with a nice slider. He’s got very good command and can hurl each offering at any time. The slider was a new addition to his repertoire, but he improved with it last season.

De Los Santos typically keeps his pitch count low, which can help with staying fresh throughout a contest. Also, he is a focused, intelligent pitcher that possesses and maintains a game plan for each outing.

Described as durable and fun to work with, De Los Santos seems to have the right tools to stick in a starting role at the big league level. Look for him to rejoin the Phillies rotation this year, possibly as a key contributor for the foreseeable future.

Be sure to track this year's complete Phillies top 25 prospects countdown by clicking this link.