Why do the Royals continue to start Santana?

Many Royals fans this season have been frustrated with how the team has played so far, but fans are more frustrated with the team for continuing to start Carlos Santana. It's important to remember that the Royals have been trying to fill the hole at first base that Eric Hosmer left when he signed with the Padres. Royals fans must remember that since the team let Hosmer walk, they have tried many players at first base to fill the hole in the lineup including Lucas Duda, Ryan O'Hearn, and from time to time, Ryan McBroom. After many failed attempts to find a first baseman that didn't really force them to open up their wallets, they were somewhat forced to find a dependable veteran first baseman, and they thought bringing in Carlos Santana would be the answer. And, why not? The Royals had faced Santana while he was with Cleveland many times and always had trouble getting him out. According to former Royals beat writer Jeffrey Flanagan's December 9, 2020 article: "Santana has had huge success against the Royals, especially at Kauffman Stadium. In his career against Kansas City, Santana has 31 home runs and 93 RBIs with a .953 OPS. At the K, Santana has 18 home runs, 61 RBIs and a 1.077 OPS."  Obviously, Santana is on the decline since signing with the Royals, but he only signed a two-year deal with the team. The first year of the deal looked good for Santana and the Royals. In 2021, Santana played in 158 of the 162 games. In those 158 games, he posted a poor batting average of  .214 and a career low on base percentage of .319. It's important to remember that Santana is in the back end of his career at the age of 36. The Royals obviously overpaid Santana to come to Kansas City. While Santana's numbers continue to decline in the first year and a half of his two year deal, the veteran has still shown better stats than O'Hearn and Duda had the past few years for the Royals. The Royals are obviously hoping that Pratto is the future at first base but don't want to rush him to the big leagues. In fact, Pratto has run into a rough patch while playing in Omaha recently. While it's still early in the season for the Storm Chasers, it is still a bit odd seeing Pratto struggle so much in Triple-A with a .213 batting average with three home runs and 10  runs batted in. Last season between the Naturals and the Storm Chasers Pratto posted a batting average of .271 and .259. Pratto showed plenty of power between the Naturals and the Storm Chasers last season with 36 home runs combined last season. Many fans are probably scratching their heads on why the Royals won't call Pratto up to the big show with Santana struggling at the plate. As a small-market team, they had to outbid everyone. In the big picture, that wasn't a big contract. Santana has always been a great OBP guy. The Royals also like his positive influence in the clubhouse. While many fans believe Santana is blocking Pratto from playing first base in the big leagues, he isn't due to Pratto's current struggles in Omaha. However, if Pratto can turn his season around, the Royals will give him his chance in the big leagues. Royals fans must be patient with Pratto's development and stop complaining about Santana and let him play so he can turn his season around.

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