Omar Infante Stats & Scouting Report

AB	5271
AVG	.271
OBP	.308
SLG	.387
HR	82

Full name Omar Rafael Infante
Born 12/26/1981 in Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela
Profile Ht.: 5'11" / Wt.: 195 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School Guanta
Debut 09/07/2002

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

After leading all shortstops in the upper minors with a .302 average in 2001, Infante slipped to .268 in Triple-A in 2002. He hit just .221 through early May before going on the disabled list with a back injury. He also had a tough time overcoming the death of his father. That came three years after his brother Asdrubal, who pitched in the Tigers system, was shot to death in a robbery. A fluid infielder, Infante has good range and excellent actions. He played second base during a September callup and made the switch without a hitch. He turns the double play well. At the plate, Infante drives the ball the opposite way with authority. He's a dedicated and hard-working player with an intense approach. Infante isn't going to hit for power, so he'll have to get on base. He must prove he can pull an inside pitch or major league pitchers will work him tight all the time. Infante needs to be more consistent in the field. He lacks the speed of a typical big league shortstop. Infante played well in September and should make Detroit's Opening Day roster as the starter at either middle-infield spot.
Driven by the shooting death of his brother Asdrubal, a pitcher in the Tigers organization, Infante has taken big steps the last two seasons. In 2000, he came out of nowhere to hold his own as an 18-year at high Class A Lakeland and became the youngest player ever in the Arizona Fall League. Managers rated him the best defensive shortstop in the Eastern League. Infante has excellent hands and smooth actions at shortstop. He was bothered by a sore throwing shoulder for most of 2001 but still threw accurately. He has a quick initial step and good range. As a hitter, he punches the ball into right field with authority and at times will turn on pitches. He's an exceptionally intense and focused player. His speed is just average for a middle infielder. At this stage of his career, he might struggle if pounded inside with good fastballs. He doesn't walk enough and strikes out too much for the type of hitter he needs to be at the major league level. Less than three years after the Tigers signed him, Infante could be their starting shortstop on Opening Day. He'd provide more defense than Deivi Cruz, who was designated for assignment in December.
Because Ramon Santiago was ticketed for West Michigan in 2000, Infante was pushed to Lakeland out of necessity. He held his own despite having just 75 pro at-bats entering the year. Eric Munson's back problems opened a spot for Infante in the Arizona Fall League, where he batted .218 as the youngest player in league history. An adroit fielder, Infante has better range than his speed would dictate. He shows a good, accurate arm and makes the backhanded play in the hole particularly well. He doesn't mess up routine plays and has good instincts for the game. The best thing about his offensive game is that he puts the ball in play, but he is much more advanced defensively than he is offensively. He needs to get stronger because he doesn't drive the ball much. He swings at too many bad pitches. For a shortstop, he has average speed. Infante may return to Lakeland or start 2001 in Double-A, again depending on where Santiago goes. When both of them are ready for Detroit, Infante probably faces a move to second base.

Minor League Top Prospects

Managers overwhelmingly chose Infante as the IL's best defensive shortstop. He has tremendous range and actions, and his cannon arm also rated the best in the league, hands down. If Infante can answer questions about his bat, he could be a major league shortstop for years to come. He reminds Fields of Omar Vizquel for his defensive wizardry and his potential to become a .280 hitter who can hit-and-run and move runners over. Battting .213 heading into a mid-June series at Syracuse, Infante got some advice from Malave, who coached him last winter in Venezuela. Malave told him he wasn't a power hitter and should stop trying to pull pitches. Infante listened and batted .321 the rest of the way. Just 20, Infante showed his youth. He occasionally seemed moody and unmotivated. "I like his skills," one manager said, "but I question his intensity. He's a little immature at times."
The Eastern League's youngest player, Infante played well above his age in 2001. He hit 35 points above his previous career average and set career highs in nearly every category. Infante makes line-drive contact and shows decent patience at the plate. He isn't the quickest shortstop, but he's a solid fielder who reminded Cliburn of Omar Vizquel. Some managers said Infante needs to grow up, because they thought he was too lackadaisical and flashy. "It's tough for me to watch him, because he doesn't hustle enough for my standards," said one manager, who nonetheless ranked Infante among the EL's best prospects. "Tools-wise? What doesn't he do? He fields. He hits. He knows the strike zone. I see him as a frontline second baseman in the majors."