Santiago Florez
Santiago Jesús Florez Payan is a Colombian professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent.
Career
Pittsburgh Pirates
On July 2, 2016, Florez signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates for a $150,000 signing bonus. He made his professional debut for the Dominican Summer League Pirates, starting 14 contests and posting a 4.56 ERA with 30 strikeouts. In 2018, Florez pitched for the rookie–level Gulf Coast League Pirates, starting 10 games and recording a 4.15 ERA with 35 strikeouts across innings pitched. In 2019, he pitched for the rookie–level Bristol Pirates, making 10 starts and registering a 2–2 record and 3.46 ERA with 36 strikeouts across innings of work.Florez did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic. He returned to action in 2021 with the Single–A Bradenton Marauders and High–A Greensboro Grasshoppers. In 21 games, Florez accumulated an 8–5 record and 4.14 ERA with 107 strikeouts and one save across innings pitched.
In 2022, Florez returned to Greensboro, pitching in 32 games and struggling to a 6.50 ERA with 61 strikeouts across innings of work. He began the 2023 season with the Greensboro, his third straight year with the affiliate. In 37 relief appearances, he struggled to a 7.08 ERA with 40 strikeouts across innings of work. Florez elected free agency following the season on November 6, 2023.