Omar Infante

Omar Infante
Infante with the Braves in 2008
Detroit Tigers – No. 12
Second Base
Born: (1981-12-26) December 26, 1981 Puerto la Cruz, Anzoátegui, Venezuela
Bats: Right Throws: Right
debut
September 7, 2002, for the Detroit Tigers
Career statistics (through July 15, 2012)
Batting average	.276
Home runs	59
Runs batted in	347
Hits	954
Teams
Detroit Tigers (2002–2007) Atlanta Braves (2008–2010) Florida/Miami Marlins (2011–2012) Detroit Tigers (2012-Present)
Career highlights and awards
All-Star selection (2010)

Omar Rafael Infante [in-FAHN-tay] (born December 26, 1981 in Puerto la Cruz, Anzoátegui, Venezuela) is a Major League Baseball second baseman who is currently on the Miami Marlins. He bats and throws right-handed.

In his career, Infante is a .276 hitter with 59 home runs and 347 RBI in 1019 games.

Career

Detroit Tigers

Infante entered the 2003 season as the starting shortstop for the Detroit Tigers. Ramón Santiago, considered a better glove-man started the season at second base. Considered 2 of the Tigers better prospects, both proved overmatched; Infante hit only .222 with 0 home runs and 8 RBI in over 200 at-bats. Midway through the season, Tigers manager Alan Trammell sent Infante to the minor leagues for failing to hustle on a consistent basis. Santiago switched to shortstop after Infante was sent down.

In 2004, Infante lost any chance to claim the starting shortstop role when the Tigers acquired Carlos Guillén, who went on to be an All-Star that year (Ramón Santiago had been included in the trade for Guillén) . With Guillén at shortstop and free agent acquisition Fernando Viña at second base, Infante was likely to spend much of the season in the minors. Then he received an opportunity in mid-May to play every day at second base when Viña was sidelined for the year by a hamstring injury. He responded by playing solid defense and hitting .264 with 16 home runs and 55 RBI in 142 games.

Infante's rebound in 2004 fueled speculation that he may one day become a star at second base. In 2005, however, he regressed, and the Tigers sought his replacement. In June of that year, the Tigers traded for Plácido Polanco, who had been filling a utility role with the Philadelphia Phillies. Polanco became the starting second baseman, and Infante moved to the bench.

Following his move to the bench, Infante played seven different positions during the 2007 season.

Chicago Cubs

On November 12, 2007 Infante was traded to the Chicago Cubs for Jacque Jones. On December 4, 2007 Infante was traded again, this time along with Will Ohman to the Atlanta Braves for Jose Ascanio. A Cub for less than a month during the off-season, Infante never appeared in a game.

Atlanta Braves

On January 12, 2009 Infante signed a two-year contract worth $4.3 million with the Atlanta Braves.

National League manager Charlie Manuel selected Infante to the 2010 National League All-Star Team, earning Infante his first selection after proving to be one of the most valuable utility men in the National League. Infante was one of six Braves on the All-Star team.

Florida/Miami Marlins

After the 2010 season, Infante and reliever Michael Dunn were traded to the Miami Marlins for second baseman Dan Uggla. On September 27, 2011, it was announced that Infante and the Marlins had agreed on a two-year extension, worth around $8 million.

In 2011, Infante lead the Majors in fielding assists.

On April 7, 2012, Infante hit 3-5 with an RBI and 2 runs scored at the Reds. Infante finished a single shy of the cycle.

On June 21, 2012, Infante played his 1000th game in Fenway Park against the Boston Red Sox.

See also

• List of players from Venezuela in Major League Baseball

External links

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors)
• Infante maturing rapidly (article)