Who is the Cincinnati Reds newest infielder?

On Friday, the Cincinnati Reds signed Christian Santana to a minor-league contract with an invite to spring training.

Santana had been an infield prospect in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization.

Who is the Reds newest IF Christian Santana?

Santana was an international signing out of the Dominican Republic back in 2016.

A third baseman by trade, Santana is known for his bat speed that allows the right-handed slugger to use his power to all fields.

Last season at Triple-A Oklahoma City, Santana put up a respectable .311/.331/.444 slash line with eight home runs and 51 RBIs.

Christian Santana has spent seven years in the minor leagues and has a career-OPS of .757.

Santana will likely remind Reds fans of Aristides Aquino; tremendous pop, but little-to-no plate discipline.

However, Santana cut down on his strikeouts in 2021. After posting a combined 23.3% strikeout-rate between 2018-2019, Santana whiffed just 19.6% of the time last season.

His walk-rate (3.2%), however, is not good. Santana has an on-base percentage over .300 for the past four season in the minors, meaning his ability to reach base is a product of contact, not patience.

How will Christian Santana fit in with the Reds?

Adding Christian Santana to the roster is little more than a depth signing for the Cincinnati Reds.

Santana has incredible arm strength and can make every throw from the hot corner. Though he's been exclusively used an infielder with LA, Santana's arm strength would play in the outfield as well.

The team is overflowing at third base with Mike Moustakas and Eugenio Suárez set to battle it out this spring for the starting role.

Jose Barrero and Kyle Farmer will be jousting for the starting shortstop job with the loser likely to occupy the first right-handed bat off the bench.

It's unlikely that Santana will occupy a 40-man roster spot unless an injury befalls one of the Cincinnati Reds regulars, but it was worth taking a flier on the 24-year-old.