Carlos Santana ranks in the top 10 in the AL in eight offensive categories.
View full sizeThe Indians' Carlos Santana raised his batting average 43 points Sunday (.345 to .388) by going 6-for-9 in a doubleheader in Kansas City. Clubhouse confidential: Carlos Santana is off to a hot start and it's hard to miss because of the numbers he's accumulating.
Santana entered Monday night's game against the Royals leading the AL in hitting at .388 and ranked in the top 10 in the following offensive categories: on-base percentage (second, .453), slugging percentage (second, .687), road batting average (first, .426), runners in scoring position average (third, .533), daytime average (first .625), average vs. righties (.eighth, .351) and average vs. lefties (second, .433).
Asked if his swing looked the same now as it did in spring training, manager Terry Francona laughed and said: "We didn't see a whole lot of him in spring training. He was gone for a long time."
Santana during spring training played in the World Baseball Classic for the Dominican Republic, which won the tournament.
More numbers: Santana has a 1.140 OPS (on-base percentage plus slugging percentage) in April. It's the ninth highest April for the Indians since 1921, according to team research. Al Rosen (1.287 in 1952), David Justice (1.256 in 1997) and Sandy Alomar Jr. (1.212 in 1997) own the top three spots.
Stat of the day: Santana entered Sunday's doubleheader against Kansas City -- the first day-night double dip ever at Kauffman Stadium -- hitting .345 (20-for-58) and exited hitting .388 (26-for-67) after going 6-for-9.