Maicer Izturis

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**Maicer Izturis**
Major League Baseball debut
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim — No. 6
Utility infielder
Bats: Switch	Throws: Right
August 27, 2004 for the Montreal Expos
Selected MLB statistics (through October 1, 2006)
Batting Average	.265
OPS	.712
Home runs	7
RBI's	63
Teams
Montreal Expos (2004)

Maicer Izturis (IPA pronunciation: [maɪsɛr ɪs'turɪs]) (born September 12, 1980 in Barquisimeto, Lara State, Venezuela) is a Major League Baseball infielder who plays for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He bats switch and throws right-handed.

Izturis is the half brother of Cubs shortstop César Izturis. He was signed by the Cleveland Indians as a non-drafted free agent on April 1, 1998 and was traded to the Montreal Expos at the end of the 2003 season.

In 2004 Izturis hit .338 with three home runs and 36 RBI for the Triple-A Edmonton Trappers before being promoted to the Major League level with the Montréal Expos. He registered a hit in his August 27, 2004 debut, singling off San Diego Padres right-hander Dennis Tankersley in the second inning. In 32 games with the Expos, Izturis hit .206 (22-for-107) with one home run and 14 RBI.

On November 19, 2004, Iztúris was traded to the Angels along with outfielder Juan Rivera for OF José Guillén.

Though a shortstop by trade, Gold Glover Orlando Cabrera occupied that position on the Angels roster, relegating Izturis to the role of a utility infielder. After the placement of veteran Darin Erstad on the disabled list moved star utilityman Chone Figgins to center field during the 2006 campaign, Izturis has emerged as the club's starting third baseman.

In the game against the Cleveland Indians on July 17, 2006, he had a career high 4 hits in one game, going 4-5 with 1 RBI and 3 runs.

[edit] Highlights

Voted by Baseball America as the 10th-best prospect in the Appalachian League (1999)
Twice ranked by Baseball America as the ninth-best prospect and the best hitter for average in the Cleveland organization (2000-01)
Selected to the Carolina League All-Star team (2002)

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Coaching Staff Rotation Bullpen Catchers Infielders Outfielders Disabled List:		Manager: Mike Scioscia • Bench: Ron Roenicke • Pitching: Mike Butcher Hitting: Mickey Hatcher • Bullpen: Orlando Mercado • First Base: Alfredo Griffin Third Base: Dino Ebel John Lackey • Ervin Santana • Joe Saunders • Kelvim Escobar • Jered Weaver Chris Bootcheck • Héctor Carrasco • Brendan Donnelly • Greg Jones Dustin Moseley • Chris Resop • Francisco Rodríguez • Scot Shields • Justin Speier Jeff Mathis • José Molina • Mike Napoli Erick Aybar • Orlando Cabrera • Chone Figgins • Maicer Izturis • Howie Kendrick Dallas McPherson • Kendry Morales • Robb Quinlan Garret Anderson • Darin Erstad • Vladimir Guerrero • Gary Matthews, Jr. • Tommy Murphy Juan Rivera • Reggie Willits Bartolo Colón • Casey Kotchman