Has Danny Santana worked his way into the Texas Rangers’ future plans?

It’s rare to have nothing bad to say about a player’s performance over the course of a season. Though that’s where the Texas Rangers stand with Danny Santana.

Danny Santana is steering his own boat and he’s not letting anyone get in his path. Signed to a minor league deal with the Texas Rangers last December, Santana is amidst a breakout season. After a 2-for-4, 2-homer game against the Diamondbacks last night, he has upped his batting average to .313, his home run total to 13 and his OPS to .900.

Without a doubt, the 28-year-old switch-hitter has been the Rangers’ most consistent hitter, despite seeing inconsistent playing time. It’s been no easy task for Chris Woodward to fit all the deserving players in the lineup on a routine basis. He’s even had to keep putting Rougned Odor in the lineup, who, by all accounts, is undeserving.

Though, Santana has played at such an incredible level lately that he’s now earned a spot in the starting lineup in nine consecutive games. That trend won’t stop.

He has become an everyday player; before that he was trying to get recognized off the bench; before that he was trying to earn a spot on the big league roster; and before that he was looking for an organization to play for. He has proven a ton in a span of six months, to a point in which he’s become valuable this trade season.

There’s no telling what the Texas Rangers will do over the next two weeks — the trade deadline is July 31st — but it’s safe to say Danny Santana won’t be going anywhere. As he is arbitration eligible through 2021, Texas should now be looking to see which position he’ll jog out to on opening day at Globe Life Field.

Sure, it’s possible that this season is a fluke. After all, he wasn’t exactly dominating in years prior. But there are no signs of this stellar play evaporating. His swing is smooth from both sides of the plate. He was favoring the left side, where he’s slashing .327/.360/.574; however, he’s really picked it up from the right side, now slashing .277/.319/.477. He has flexed his muscles from both sides, launching eight home runs as a left-handed hitter and five home runs as a right-handed hitter.

Also, Santana is a sneaky five-tool player. He has a cannon for an arm, he plays solid defense all over the diamond, he has good wheels, and we’ve already talked about what he can do with a bat in his hands. Frankly, he has the makeup of an All-Star — a player that every team would want.

If the Texas Rangers signed an All-Star caliber player on a minor league contract, wouldn’t you want them to keep that player around?

There are not any drawbacks to this situation. That’s the beauty of it. Texas isn’t burdened by a big contract with Santana like they are with Odor, nor are they in a position to where they have to re-sign him come the offseason. Even if Santana is a one-season wonder, the Rangers won’t be hurting by keeping him around.

It looks as if the Texas Rangers have found a diamond in the rough. Props to the front office for giving Danny Santana a chance. And props to Danny Santana for emerging as one of the team’s best players. He has earned an everyday place in the lineup in 2019. If he keeps this up, he’ll surely be an everyday player for the Rangers in 2020.