Anthony Santander Bio
Anthony Roger Santander, born October 19, 1994, is a Venezuelan professional baseball outfielder for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball (MLB). A switch-hitter with significant power, he made his MLB debut in 2017 with the Baltimore Orioles after being selected in the 2016 Rule 5 draft. He became an All-Star in 2024, the same year he earned the Silver Slugger Award, establishing himself as one of the league’s most productive middle-of-the-order bats.
Across his MLB career, Santander has combined contact ability with right-handed and left-handed power, regularly clearing 20-plus home runs in full seasons. After spending his entire major league tenure with the Orioles, he joined the Blue Jays on a multi-year contract ahead of the 2025 season, marking a new chapter for the veteran outfielder.
Early Life and Background
Anthony Roger Santander was born on October 19, 1994, on Margarita Island, off the coast of Venezuela, in the state of Nueva Esparta. Although he was born there, he grew up in the mainland municipality of Agua Blanca, a place he has described as home and to which he returns each winter. His upbringing in a coastal region of Venezuela shaped his early connection to the game, where baseball holds deep cultural roots.
From a young age, Santander was drawn to baseball, developing the switch-hitting approach that would later define his professional profile. Venezuela’s strong baseball tradition, combined with his natural athleticism, helped him progress through local amateur programs before catching the attention of MLB scouts. His path from a small coastal town to professional baseball reflects the journeys of many Venezuelan players who rise through the country’s competitive amateur system.
Path to Baseball
Santander signed with the Cleveland Indians as an international free agent on July 2, 2011, beginning his professional career at age 16. He made his official debut in 2012 with the Arizona League Indians, where he showcased the offensive potential that had drawn the Indians’ interest. From 2013 to 2015, he advanced through the Indians’ minor league system, playing for the Lake County Captains and later the Mahoning Valley Scrappers.
His development was not without setbacks. In 2013, he suffered a right elbow injury, and the following season he missed time with a right elbow strain, batting .184/.260/.270 in limited action. Santander rebounded in 2016 with the Lynchburg Hillcats, where he posted a .290 batting average with 20 home runs and 95 runs batted in, numbers that would ultimately draw the attention of another organization. That winter, the Baltimore Orioles selected him in the 2016 Rule 5 draft, setting the stage for his major league arrival.
Anthony Santander Career
Early Career (2017-2018)
Santander made his major league debut on August 18, 2017, at Camden Yards in Baltimore against the Los Angeles Angels. In 30 at-bats during his initial stint, he batted .267/.258/.367, demonstrating a smooth transition to the highest level of professional baseball. His selection in the Rule 5 draft required him to remain on the Orioles’ major league roster, an opportunity he seized with consistent at-bats.
He continued to develop his switch-hitting power approach over his first two seasons, learning the rigors of an everyday role in the Orioles’ outfield. By the end of 2018, he had established himself as a fixture in Baltimore’s lineup, laying the groundwork for the power surges that would later define his career.
Baltimore Orioles Tenure (2019-2024)
In 2019, Santander recorded his first career five-hit game in an 8-3 home win over the Tampa Bay Rays on August 25, matching a feat teammate Renato Núñez had accomplished eleven days earlier. He finished the season with 20 home runs and 59 runs batted in across 93 games, signaling his emergence as a middle-of-the-order threat.
The 2020 season saw him slash .261/.315/.575 with 11 home runs and 32 runs batted in over 37 games, earning him the Louis M. Hatter Most Valuable Oriole Award from the local media. In 2022, he tied an MLB record set by Ken Caminiti in 1996 by hitting home runs from both sides of the plate in a single game for the fourth time in one season. He also became the first Orioles player with three multi-homer games in a four-game span.
His 2023 campaign included his first career grand slam, a five-RBI performance against the Atlanta Braves on May 5. He later hit his 100th career MLB home run in a 5-4 win over the Miami Marlins on July 16. In 2024, Santander was selected to his first All-Star Game and went on to bat .235/.308/.506 with 44 home runs and 102 runs batted in, leading MLB with a 54.8% fly ball rate. He surpassed Ken Singleton’s 1979 franchise record for most homers by a switch-hitter in a season, cementing his legacy in Baltimore.
Toronto Blue Jays Era (2025-Present)
On January 20, 2025, Santander signed a five-year, $92.5 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays, ending his eight-year tenure in Baltimore. The signing marked a major addition to the Blue Jays’ outfield and lineup, bringing a proven power bat to the American League East. Early in the season, however, he struggled at the plate, slashing .179/.273/.304 with six home runs and 18 runs batted in over 50 games.
He was placed on the injured list with left shoulder inflammation on May 30, then transferred to the 60-day injured list on July 4. Santander was activated on September 23 and made the Blue Jays’ MLB postseason roster, though he was replaced during the 2025 American League Championship Series due to back tightness. His first season in Toronto ended earlier than hoped, but his multi-year contract signals the organization’s confidence in his long-term value.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his signature achievements, Santander equaled his career-high five runs batted in twice during the 2024 season and hit a career-high 44 home runs. His record-setting 36th homer as a switch-hitter for the Orioles passed Ken Singleton’s 1979 franchise mark. Internationally, he represented Venezuela at the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
Anthony Santander Career Wins
While wins are a pitching statistic, Santander’s offensive milestones define his career value. Across his MLB tenure, he has recorded 100-plus home runs, multiple 20-plus homer seasons, and a 44-homer campaign in 2024. His offensive production includes All-Star recognition and a Silver Slugger Award.
MLB Highlights
Santander’s first MLB win came during his debut season with the Orioles in 2017. His most recent significant victory came with the Blue Jays in 2025, though injury limited his late-season impact. He reached the postseason with Toronto in 2025, appearing in the American League Championship Series roster.
International Performances
Santander represented Venezuela at the 2023 World Baseball Classic, contributing his switch-hitting power to the national team’s lineup.
Anthony Santander Family
Family Background and Baseball Roots
Anthony Roger Santander was raised in the Venezuelan municipality of Agua Blanca, returning there each winter. His family roots in Venezuela’s coastal regions helped shape his connection to baseball from an early age.
2025 Season Performance
Santander’s first season with the Toronto Blue Jays was shaped by transition and injury. After signing a five-year, $92.5 million contract in January 2025, he struggled to find his offensive rhythm, batting .179 with six home runs over 50 games before a left shoulder inflammation landed him on the injured list in late May.
His time on the 60-day injured list extended into September, limiting his opportunity to build momentum. Upon his activation on September 23, he recorded one hit and one walk across four games before back tightness forced him off the Blue Jays’ American League Championship Series roster. Despite the setbacks, his postseason inclusion reflected the organization’s belief in his potential heading into 2026.