The 52nd Midwest League All-Star Game is scheduled for June 21st at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium, home of the Cedar Rapids Kernels. The Kernels last hosted the Midwest League All-Star game in 2004.

The Midwest League announced its Eastern and Western Division All-Star rosters Tuesday afternoon. The lone Great Lakes Loons player to be named to the game is right-hand pitcher Dennis Santana.

Dennis Santana
(Photo courtesy of Great Lakes Loons)

Santana, as so often happens with youngsters from San Pedro de Macoris in the Dominican Republic, was signed as a shortstop by Dodgers scout Patrick Guerrero on March 12, 2013. As early as the age of 13 Santana had caught the attention of MLB scouts.

Being signed by a MLB team was his dream but his stated dream was greater than that: “I want to be the best major league player in history, wear the Dodgers’ uniform in the big leagues, and be elected to the Hall of Fame.”

His first year with the Dominican Summer League Dodgers in 2013 did not go as well as he had hoped. He hit only .198 in 56 games.

Meanwhile his fastball registered in the 94/95 mph range and his arm was described as “golden”. Needless to say that when the 2014 season rolled in Santana was on the mound with the DSL Dodgers and with excellent results. He posted an ERA of 1.05 in 20 games, with a record of 2-1 and 4 saves. In 34.1 innings he gave up only 19 hits while walking 15 and striking out 38.

Santana started the 2015 season with the Ogden Raptors of the rookie level Pioneer League making his first start on June 19th against the Orem Owlz. Once again things did not go as planned. The 19-year old gave up 27 earned runs in 22 innings. He was reassigned to the Arizona League Dodgers on July 22nd and found success at that level posting an ERA of 2.42 and a WHIP of 1.15 while striking out 34 in 26 innings.

A bit surprising for 2016 was his assignment to the Class-A Loons but perhaps that was just a testament to what the Dodgers see in the 6’2”- 160 lb Santana. He has started eight games for the Loons in 2016 posting an impressive 2.96 ERA along with 50 strikeouts in 48.2 innings. He has limited the opposition to 37 hits and been touched for just one home run. That home run came in his first appearance of the season in which he pitched in relief.

As the All-Star game approaches, Santana is still looking for his first win of the season. He has posted a record of 0-7 as a result of his teammates scoring 11 runs in his those seven losses. However, his overall performance on the season makes him a worthy choice as an All-Star to represent the Loons.