Fansided

10 biggest MLB pitching disappointments of 2015

By Josh Criswell

Jun 29, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher CC Sabathia (52) walks off the field after being replaced during the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 29, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher CC Sabathia (52) walks off the field after being replaced during the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
11 of 11
Next
Aug 25, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Ervin Santana (54) reacts during the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 25, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Ervin Santana (54) reacts during the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 1 Ervin Santana

The Minnesota Twins find themselves in the middle of the American Wild Card race with under three weeks left in the regular season, but starting pitcher Ervin Santana is not the reason why.

The Twins signed Santana to the largest free agent contract in franchise history this offseason, giving the 32-year old a deal worth $54 million over the course of four years. He had rebounded from an inconsistent start to his career with the Los Angeles Angels, delivering impressive performances in 2013 and 2014.

While not possessing the talent to be the ace of a rotation, he was expected to provide stability for Minnesota’s pitching staff. That has not happened whatsoever.

Santana’s time with the Twins began with the revelation that he would throw his first pitch in a regular season game for the team until July, the result of an 80-game suspension for steroids. When he finally returned to the team, he looked nothing like a pitcher that had just recorded the second-most strikeouts in his career the previous season. Santana has posted a 4.55 ERA, and is averaging over one strikeout less per nine innings than he did in 2014.

Even if the Twins make the playoffs and Santana manages to turn things around, he will not be eligible to pitch due to his suspension earlier in the season.

Due to this combination of performance-enhancing-drug revelations, poor performance and a large contract that is already off to a rocky start, Ervin Santana is the biggest disappointment among MLB pitchers in 2015.

Next: The MLB All-Time 25-Man Roster

More from Chicago White Sox

Home/Chicago White Sox