MLB: Ten Worst Position Players in Baseball
By Gavin Lee
5. Omar Infante
2016: 88 PA, .247/.287/.333, 71 wRC+, 0.3 fWAR
Somehow, Omar Infante is the starting second baseman for the defending World Champions. Again. He was almost the starting second baseman on last season’s All-Star team because of an online ballot-stuffing campaign, despite a 46 wRC+ at the break. It’s like he has some sort of guardian angel watching out for him.
Infante signed a four year $30 million dollar contract before the 2014 season, and it immediately turned out to be a mistake for the Kansas City Royals. Infante put up his worst hitting campaign since 2007, and followed it up by posting an even worse season in 2015. He posted an unbelievable 2% walk rate last year, the fifth worst of the past 20 years with players who got more than 400 at bats.
While his offense has rebounded slightly, it’s still far below the major league average and he’s striking out more than he ever has in his career. The Royals went out and obtained Ben Zobrist for the stretch run last year, and they’ll have to do something similar if they want to see any production out of their second base position this season. It’s hard to sit $15 million on the bench, but for a team that’s supposed to be contending it’s a pill they have to swallow. Another contract option that is destined to be turned down, the Royals own a $10 million dollar option on Infante’s 2018 season. We’d be shocked if he’s even still in the majors by that point.
Next: Number 5