Both these guys had big power seasons with the Phillies
18 – Benito Santiago (1996)
Santiago spent nearly four full seasons in the Padres’ minor league system before being called up to the show in September of 1986. In 17 games the rest of the way, Santiago hit .290 with three home runs.
During his first full season in 1987, Santiago showed his tremendous potential, taking home Rookie of the Year honors after hitting .300 with 18 home runs, 79 RBI, and 21 stolen bases. The season performance was strong enough to win the Rookie of the Year award. Santiago also showed off his glovework and strong arm, winning three consecutive Gold Glove awards.
Granted free agency, Santiago took his four All-Star appearance resume to the Marlins in December 1992. His performance in Florida was very mediocre, as was a single season in Cincinnati in 1995. When the Phillies signed Santiago as a free agent in 1996, it appeared the best days were behind him
Something magical happened for Santiago in 1996. In 136 games, Santiago set a career-high with 30 home runs and 85 RBI, while playing some of the best defense of his career. With Mike Lieberthal ready to take over behind the plate, Santiago was granted free agency. He was off to Toronto and went on to stick around for nine more seasons before retiring with a .263 average and 217 home runs.
19 – Greg Luzinski (1977)
Luzinski was part of one of the most feared power tandems in the National League during the middle to late 1970s. He started his career in Philadelphia in 1970 but played in only 26 games before his first full season in 1972.
As a 21-year old, Luzinski hit 18 home runs with 68 RBI and followed it with a 29 home run season in 1973. After missing nearly half the season in 1974, Luzinski became one of the top power threats in the league in 1975 after going deep 34 times with a league-leading 120 RBI.
In the middle of four consecutive All-Star seasons, Luzinski posted the best season of his career in 1977. Finishing second in the NL MVP voting, “The Bull” hammered 39 home runs, knocked in 130 runs with a .309 batting average.
Another 30-plus home run season in 1978 earned Luzinski his final All-Star appearance. His production dropped off significantly the following two seasons and was traded to the White Sox following the World Series season of 1980.
Luzinski spent four fairly productive seasons with the White Sox before retiring with 307 home runs and 1128 RBI.