Los Angeles Angels Hire Omar Vizquel As A Roving Infield Instructor

Could the Angels defense up and down the franchise be getting better? Well, if they are paying attention they will. The Angels hired the great Omar Vizquel to be a roving infield instructor. He’s going to be with the team in big league camp and then after that focus more on the minors.

August 11, 2012; Toronto, ON, CANADA; Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Omar Vizquel (17) throws out New York Yankees designated hitter

(not pictured) during the ninth inning at the Rogers Centre. New York defeated Toronto 5-2. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

Vizquel, apparently, would like to be a big league manager one day. Here is GM Jerry Dipoto on the hiring:

“He was gung ho; he was all for it,” Dipoto said. “We’re fortunate to have him. I feel like this is the start of a next great career for Omar Vizquel, and we’re glad he’s doing it as an Angel. We’re pretty pumped about him being involved.”

“Omar had the best timing, or internal clock, of any infielder I ever watched,” Dipoto said. “I don’t know if he can pass on the internal clock, but he can pass on a lot of the little tips and nuances, and at the end of the day, we feel like he’s the type of guy who can really go in and make a difference in a young player’s career. And I’m excited to see where he goes with it.”

I think this a great hiring by Jerry Dipoto. Vizquel is probably the second best defensive shortstop ever behind Ozzie Smith. If the Angels’ players don’t learn anything from him, it’s there own fault. He’s got a ton of experience and it wouldn’t shock me at all if he got a bigger role on the coaching staff down the line.