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Sinewy and relaxed, Ervin Santana cocks his arm and gracefully hurls his body towards the plate. He’s 25 years old and just 185 pounds. There’s this look about him now, like he’s no longer worried about being shipped back to Triple-A Salt Lake, demoted to the bullpen or packaged to Colorado for Matt Holliday (at least he isn’t pitching like he’s troubled by it).

And after two years of frustration, trade rumors and nervous laps around the mound between pitches, the All-Star righthander is developing into a rock for the Angels’ rotation.

Despite Monday’s loss to Cleveland, Santana is still 11-4 with a 3.37 ERA. His 128 strikeouts are good for fourth in the American League. He’s 13 shy of his career high…and it’s only July 23. The most significant statistical difference, however, is his newfound success on the road.
Last season, the spindly Dominican was a wretched 1-10 away from Anaheim, compared to 6-4 at home. In 16 road starts he gave up 19 home runs, 100 hits over 73 innings and his 8.38 ERA was one of the AL’s worst.

At times, his statistical failures weren’t the biggest concern, but rather it was his mind. Santana would take deep breaths on the mound, walk around in circles and appear generally shaken by adversity. Former Angels outfielder Jay Johnstone said, “It almost seemed like he was getting in his own head.”

A week after the 2008 All-Star break, it appears that obstacle is behind him. In 12 starts this season away from Angel Stadium, Santana is 8-1, but more importantly he’s keeping the ball down. Through 81 innings he’s allowed seven homers, one reason his road ERA (3.44) is in line with his home mark (3.17).

Santana’s dominance is partly due to gaining command of a 95-plus MPH fastball and a slider that nips at the edges of the plate. Angels closer Francisco Rodriguez told the LA Times that Santana has the tools to be one of baseball’s best pitchers.

“He’s a power pitcher with a great slider, great fastball,” Rodriguez said. “His stuff is electric.”

Still, Santana continues to be the subject of trade rumors, something that has trailed him throughout his three year career. In the off-season he was rumored in a package for then Marlins slugger Miguel Cabrera. Now it’s Holliday.

According to the Times, the Rockies would demand top prospect Nick Adenhart, second baseman Howie Kendrick and Santana or fellow All-Star Joe Saunders. That’s more than the Angels will (or should) surrender, even for Colorado’s best player.

I wouldn’t move him for anyone, short of a deal so overwhelming that it would be even hard to fathom in a fantasy league. With ace John Lackey, Jered Weaver, Saunders and Santana, the Halos are second in the American League in starter’s ERA. They also makeup one of the youngest groups, which means there is still tremendous upside. The opportunity to develop a dominating staff is worth more than breaking it up to add a bat.

The Halos are staring at a bright future on the mound, and it seems the brightest could belong to Santana.

The Angels need to find out.

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