Omar Vizquel Stats & Scouting Report

Top Rankings

There’s something about Venezuela and shortstops. Vizquel, signed as a free agent in 1984, promises to maintain that tradition. He’s a smooth fielder with exceptional range, soft hands and a strong arm coveted by a team that plays on artificial surface. Only 21, Vizquel hasn’t been an offensive force, but he’s held his own, and should start to drive the ball as he gets stronger. He at least knows the strike zone (never more than 58 strikeouts in a season). And he has the speed to be a quality basestealer (57 thefts the last two years).
Signed as a 16-year-old out of Venezuela in 1984, Vizquel was used sparingly in his first two pro seasons (232 at-bats in 1984 and 1985), but has picked up the pace the last two years, and made dramatic improvement in 1987. He is still physically maturing and will get stronger with the bat--though his power will be measured in doubles, not home runs. He still has to learn when to run, but the basestealing potential is there.

Vizquel made the list for his proficiency with the glove, though he showed signs of coming of age with the bat and on the bases with Vermont. His knowledge of the game belies his age (21). Not only does he have great range and a strong throwing arm, but he played the hitters better than anyone in the league. “After everyone else has gone in the clubhouse, Omar’s out here watching (the opponents) hit,” said Vermont manager Rich Morales. “He just sits there and watches and picks up a lot of things that way.”

There’s something about Venezuela and shortstops. Vizquel, signed as a free agent in 1984, promises to maintain that tradition. He’s a smooth fielder with exceptional range, soft hands and a strong arm coveted by a team that plays on artificial surface. Only 21, Vizquel hasn’t been an offensive force, but he’s held his own, and should start to drive the ball as he gets stronger. He at least knows the strike zone (never more than 58 strikeouts in a season). And he has the speed to be a quality basestealer (57 thefts the last two years).
Signed as a 16-year-old out of Venezuela in 1984, Vizquel was used sparingly in his first two pro seasons (232 at-bats in 1984 and 1985), but has picked up the pace the last two years, and made dramatic improvement in 1987. He is still physically maturing and will get stronger with the bat--though his power will be measured in doubles, not home runs. He still has to learn when to run, but the basestealing potential is there.
Vizquel made the list for his proficiency with the glove, though he showed signs of coming of age with the bat and on the bases with Vermont. His knowledge of the game belies his age (21). Not only does he have great range and a strong throwing arm, but he played the hitters better than anyone in the league. “After everyone else has gone in the clubhouse, Omar’s out here watching (the opponents) hit,” said Vermont manager Rich Morales. “He just sits there and watches and picks up a lot of things that way.”