Santiago Jesús Florez Payan (born May 9, 2000) is a Colombian professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent.
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 rookieâÂÂlevel 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 rookieâÂÂlevel Bristol Pirates, making 10 starts and registering a 2âÂÂ2 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 SingleâÂÂA Bradenton Marauders and HighâÂÂA Greensboro Grasshoppers. In 21 games (18 starts), Florez accumulated an 8âÂÂ5 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.
On January 30, 2024, Florez signed with the Sioux City Explorers of the American Association of Professional Baseball. In 10 appearances for the Explorers, he compiled a 4.09 ERA with 8 strikeouts across 11 innings pitched. Florez was released by Sioux City on July 25.
On February 27, 2025, Florez signed with the Washington Wild Things of the Frontier League. However, he was traded to the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball on May 6. In 10 appearances for Southern Maryland, Florez struggled to a 10.13 ERA with 12 strikeouts across innings pitched. Florez was released by the Blue Crabs on June 28.
Florez represented the Colombia national baseball team in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, pitching in Colombia's game against the United States. Florez was part of the Colombian squad that won the gold medal at the 2023 Pan American Games contested in Santiago, Chile in October 2023.