Maicer Izturis

Maicer Izturis is a utility infielder for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and a very useful player to have on the roster. He can play second base, shortstop and third base, can pinch hit, pinch run, bunt, steal, bat from both sides of the plate and do just about everything you ask from the native of Barquisimeto, Venezuela.

At 5-foot-8, 170 pounds, he made his Major League debut in 2004 with the Montreal Expos (now the Washington Nationals), and was acquired by the Angels before the 2005 season in a trade that involved outfielder Jose Guillen.

Izturis saw action in a career-high 114 games and established career-highs in just about every offensive category while staying healthy all season. He hit .300 with eight home runs and 65 RBIs. He scored 74 runs and picked up 116 hits, including 22 doubles and three triples and had 13 stolen bases. He also hit .380 right handed and was the team's best hitter in June, batting .338 overall that month.

In addition, he came through in the clutch as he batted .302 with runners in scoring position and had a .359 on-base percentage. After the season, Izturis was rewarded with a three-year contract extension.

Plagued by injury much of the season, Izturis played in 79 games and had a batting average of .269, with three home runs, 37 RBIs, 14 doubles and two triples.

He scored 44 runs and had 11 stolen bases, being caught just twice. He still, though, had a healthy on-base percentage of .329.

Izturis got a good deal of playing time, getting into 102 games. His batting average was a solid .289 with six home runs and 51 RBIs. He also had 17 doubles to go along with two triples.

Izturis also had 47 runs scored, in addition to stealing seven bases and being caught just once. His on-base percentage was a very good .349 as he also reached base 33 times because of a walk. And for the second straight season, his slugging percentage was over .400, hitting a mark of .405.