Carlos Santana (born April 8, 1986), nicknamed "Slamtana," is a Dominican-American professional baseball designated hitter, and first baseman for the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut with the Cleveland Indians on June 11, 2010, and also played the 2018 season with the Philadelphia Phillies. In international competition, he has participated with the Dominican Republic national team, winning the gold medal in the 2013 World Baseball Classic (WBC). Noted for plate discipline and power, Santana has also emerged as an excellent defender at first base. He stands 5 feet 11 inches (1.80 m) tall, weighs 210 pounds (95 kg), throws right-handed and is a switch hitter. Each season since 2011 (with the exception of the shortened 2020 season), Santana has hit at least 18 home runs while finishing within the top four in the league in bases on balls. He was named an MLB All-Star in 2019, has twice participated in the MLB Japan All-Star Series, and in 2017, was recognized as Wilson Defensive Player of the Year at first base. Santana set Indians' club records among switch hitters for both home runs in a career and in a single season, and for career runs batted in (RBIs). Over consecutive minor league seasons spanning 2008–2009, he won Most Valuable Player Awards (MVPs), first of the High-A California League, and then of the AA Eastern League. He was also named High A Player of the Year in 2008, Indians' Minor League Player of the Year in 2009, and the Indians' top prospect in 2009 and 2010. A native of Santo Domingo, Santana first joined the professional ranks when he signed as an amateur free agent with the Los Angeles Dodgers on August 13, 2004. He played in the Dodgers' minor league system until July 26, 2008, when he was traded to the Indians. He primarily split his time between catcher and first base through the 2013 season, and since has played mainly first base and designated hitter, and some third base. Prior to the 2018 season, Santana became a free agent and signed with the Phillies for three years. The following December, he was traded to the Seattle Mariners for a brief stay, until being traded back to Cleveland.