My issue with Nino is that he dies the moment someone looks at him. I got him killed multiple times after 1 activation. Santiago OTOH has some utility (I've got your back, Sober Up) and with ignoring concealment from Bestial Hunter he should dish out significant damage. And LLC + Shielded should keep him alive to maybe have a grit activation.
I never used Loco, but mostly because he doesn't fit in my crews.