Astros prospect Alimber Santa recalls sacrifices

ATLANTA – Astros pitching prospect Alimber Santa had to leave his home at 14 years old to accomplish his baseball dream. His parents Ydaise Reyes and Juan Santa drove him 66 miles from Azua, Dominican Republic, to Santo Domingo.

The two-hour trek seemed an eternity as they got closer to the capital. Upon arriving, Reyes embraced her son and wept on his chest. As the tears damped Alimber Santa’s shirt, his mother begged him to go back to Azua. 

It was hard for the young pitcher to leave his mother’s embrace, but he had no choice.  His father wished him well with tears in his eyes. Two years later, his sacrifice paid off. The Astros signed the young relief pitcher in 2020 to a $75,000 signing bonus. 

“The most difficult things were the loss of my grandma and all the sacrifices I had to do prior to signing,” Alimber Santa said. “It wasn’t too easy to leave my family for an opportunity to sign.”

An unexpected experience

Alimber Santa struggled being away from home. He would tell his mother he was doing fine every time they talked, even on days where he wasn’t. He would lie so his mother wouldn’t worry. 

The 22-year-old right-hander was surprised when he was told he was going to represent the Astros in the 2025 All-Star Futures Game. He thought he wasn’t as experienced as his fellow teammates. Also, he believed his injuries early in his career might’ve compromised his chance to participate in this game. 

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Santa, pitched in only 11 games in his first two years in the minors. An elbow injury sidelined him from 2021 through 2023.

“I feel simply so proud,” Santa said. “It’s a great sensation that I can’t explain. I never imagined I’ll be here, but I thank God that I am.”

Coming back from his long absence, Santa struggled to find a groove. He had a 5.90 ERA in Class A in 2023. In 87 1/3 innings he allowed 86 hits and 58 earned runs. 

He followed that up by posting a 6.47 ERA in 19 games over three levels in 2024. Although he was promoted to the Class AA Corpus Christi Hooks, Santa succumbed to injuries once again.

Help from a top prospect

Now healthy, he is rewarding the Astros with his best season yet. In 52 innings with the Hooks, he’s 2-1 with 1.21 ERA and 54 strikeouts and two saves. 

What changed for Santa was his confidence and his focus. His teammates and his family helped him find his confidence. Miguel Ulloa, who is the No. 4 ranked prospect in the Astros’ organization, watches each of Santa’s outings. 

“I am really close to Miguel Ullola, who is my brother,” he said. “He calls me after every outing. He sees what I do wrong, and I listen.

“My mom always tells me to keep going. If it’s a bad outing she tells to turn the page and move on. You know how moms are, they always have something positive to say.”

Ydaise’s tears have surely motivated Alimber Santa throughout his baseball career. By playing in the MLB All Star Futures Game, his dream of playing in the majors appears closer to reality.