Take a quick glance at the resume of Prairie State College head baseball coach Pascual Santiago and one thing is immediately clear: He’s seen a thing or two in this game.
With a coaching career that has witnessed landing spots at every level from high school to the pro’s and all points in between, to say that Santiago is well-traveled would be an understatement.
He’s also productive.
Santiago, a native of Blue Island, Ill. came to PSC in 2019, initially as bench coach under then head coach Mike Habas. When Habas departed midseason to take over the hitting coordinator responsibilities at the Milwaukee Brewers’ academy in the Dominican Republic, Santiago was elevated to head coach.
He’s been at the helm of the Pioneers’ program ever since.
Since moving into the “skipper’s seat” of Prairie State Baseball, one of Santiago’s most significant contributions has been a much-needed overhaul of PSC’s home field at the Pioneer Sports and Recreation Park.
Santiago, along with Associate Head Coach Deandre Gilmore, have almost single-handedly renovated PSC’s field, adding a new playing surface, windscreens and dugout fences along with several other touch up projects.
Santiago has experienced a tremendous amount of success in professional baseball, particularly in the independent minor leagues.
Most recently, Santiago, managed the Conquistadores de Aguada to the Puerto Rico Independent Baseball League championship in 2021. Thanks to that accomplishment, Santiago locked down the second Manager of the Year Award for his storied career. He also managed 16 Conquistadores in the league’s all-star game.
Santiago has proven to be extremely versatile when it comes to instructing multiple aspects of the game as well, enjoying great success throughout his career as both a pitching coach and hitting instructor.
While serving as hitting instructor with the Normal Cornbelters of the Frontier League in 2018, Santiago’s hitters swung their way to a circuit-best .277 batting average.
Under Santiago’s tutelage, slugger Chris Iriart led the league in home runs (25), Andrew Godbold earned the RBI title (79) and Santiago Chirrino paced the league in hitting (.367).
Santiago also skippered the Old Orchard Beach Surge in Old Orchard Beach, Maine, taking the Surge to the championship game of the Empire Professional Baseball League and earning the league’s best record at 34-28. His work with the Surge earned him his first Manager of the Year Award.
With the Frontier League’s Windy City Thunderbolts from 2008-2010, Santiago worked as the club’s bench and bullpen coach. In 2008, Windy City claimed the Frontier League title.
Santiago has also spent time in professional baseball on the staffs of the Joliet Slammers (Frontier League) and Gary Southshore Railcats (American Association champions, 2013).
Santiago’s experience on the collegiate side is of course extensive as well.
As the Associate Head Coach and Hitting Instructor at Robert Morris University of Chicago in 2010, Santiago helped guide the Eagles to a 42-19 mark. The team also posted a .333 team batting average.
Santiago has also served two stints on the staff of Olive-Harvey College, first as pitching coach in 2007 and later as head coach in both 2015 and 2016.
Santiago additionally spent time on the coaching staffs of Dominican University, Lewis University and Moraine Valley Community College.
While serving as Moraine Valley’s pitching coach from 2005-2007, Santiago’s hurlers compiled a team ERA of 3.71. He was also instrumental in towing the Cyclones to their first 30-win season in program history in 2006.
Prior to entering the coaching ranks, Santiago established his own legacy as an athlete.
A 1985 graduate of Dwight D. Eisenhower High School, Santiago played both football and baseball for the Cardinals.
Following a solid prep career, Santiago went on to play four seasons of semiprofessional football in the Midwest Football League as a wide receiver. He won Rookie of the Year honors in 1990 and was selected in the 1994 draft of the now-defunct World Football League.
Santiago doesn’t limit passing on his baseball knowledge to professional and college players only either. For nearly 25 years he has been working at the youth levels, teaching lessons at All Aspects Baseball and Softball Academy as well as with the Northwest Indiana Shockers.
He is a member of the American Baseball Coaches Association since 2006.
A longtime union carpenter, Santiago resides in Crete, Ill. with his wife.
