Nelson Santovenia
Born: 7/27/1961 in Pinar del Río, Pinar del Río, Cuba
MLB Debut: 1987-09-16 | Final Game: 1993-10-02
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'3" | Weight: 195 lbs
Full name: Nelson Gil Santovenia
Biography
Nelson Santovenia was a position player in Major League Baseball who played from 1987 to 1993, primarily known for his time with the Cincinnati Reds and the Chicago White Sox. Born in 1961, Santovenia made his debut during a period marked by significant changes in the game, including the increasing influence of analytics and a shift towards more dynamic offensive strategies. Over his career, he appeared in 297 games, accumulating 206 hits, 22 home runs, and 116 RBIs, while finishing with a batting average of .233.
Though not a household name, Santovenia contributed to his teams with versatility and a solid approach at the plate. His ability to combine power with speed, evidenced by his four stolen bases, highlighted his role as a player who could impact the game in various ways. While his career statistics may not position him among the elite, Santovenia's dedication and performance during the late 1980s and early 1990s left a mark on the teams he played for, reflecting the competitive spirit of an era that embraced both traditional skills and evolving playing styles.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 297 | 884 | 77 | 206 | 42 | 4 | 22 | 116 | 4 | 59 | 165 | 0.233 | 0.281 | 0.364 | 0.645 | -1458.9 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | WSN | NL | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.0 |
| 1988 | WSN | NL | 92 | 309 | 26 | 73 | 20 | 2 | 8 | 41 | 2 | 24 | 77 | 0.236 | -162.5 |
| 1989 | WSN | NL | 97 | 304 | 30 | 76 | 14 | 1 | 5 | 31 | 2 | 24 | 37 | 0.250 | -298.9 |
| 1990 | WSN | NL | 59 | 163 | 13 | 31 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 28 | 0 | 8 | 31 | 0.190 | -727.4 |
| 1991 | WSN | NL | 41 | 96 | 7 | 24 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 14 | 0 | 2 | 18 | 0.250 | -270.1 |
| 1992 | CHW | AL | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.333 | 0.0 |
| 1993 | KCR | AL | 4 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0.125 | 0.0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 9 | 4 | 42 | 4 | 0 | 5 |
| C | 263 | 229 | 1409 | 166 | 30 | 24 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | MON | C | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1988 | MON | C | 86 | 83 | 457 | 63 | 9 | 7 |
| 1988 | MON | 1B | 1 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1989 | MON | C | 89 | 83 | 561 | 66 | 12 | 7 |
| 1989 | MON | 1B | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 1990 | MON | C | 51 | 43 | 264 | 24 | 6 | 7 |
| 1991 | MON | C | 30 | 17 | 109 | 12 | 3 | 3 |
| 1991 | MON | 1B | 7 | 3 | 31 | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| 1992 | CHA | C | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1993 | KCA | C | 4 | 2 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Catcher | 263 |
| First Base | 9 |
Salary History
| Year | Team | League | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | MON | NL | $282,500 |
| 1990 | MON | NL | $205,000 |
| 1989 | MON | NL | $98,500 |
| Total Career Earnings | $586,000 | ||
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami-Dade College - Kendall Campus | Miami | FL | 1980, 1981 |
| University of Miami | Coral Gables | FL | 1982 |