Carlos Santana bunting to beat the shift
Opposing defenses may have to start reconsidering defensive shifts on Indians catcher Carlos Santana. According to the Akron Beacon Journal, Santana is tied for the team lead in bunt hitswith two. A swtich-hitter, teams put the shift on Santana when he's batting lefty, allowing him to bunt down the third-base side and reach first safely.
"I had to learn bunting," Santana told the Journal. "I practice all the time."
Santana has two bunting guidelines -- only bunt when nobody's on and only against the shift. Manager Terry Francona has said that the strategy is fine with him because Santana isn't risking his swing mechanics to beat the shift.
Santana is hitting .283, with eight home runs and 17 doubles. He's hitting .275 against right-handed pitchers.
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