Closing Thoughts: Hector Santiago stakes his claim

On this date a year ago, Hector Santiago was the scheduled starter for the Winston-Salem Dash, a High-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. The left-hander was making his first start of the 2011 season. As a prospect, the kid was on absolutely no one's radar. He was a former 30th round draft pick entering his fifth minor league season.

That night, Santiago pitched four innings for the Dash, allowing just one run and striking out seven batters in a no-decision. On his way to that respectable strikeout total, he almost certainly mixed in a few screwballs. Santiago began experimenting with the pitch in winter ball in 2008, and