Nomar Fana Scouting Report

Nomar Fana Scouting Report

Background: A Native of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Nomar Fana is a switch-hitting outfielder who originally signed with the Tigers in February 2020, at the relatively advanced age of 18. He couldn’t play in 2020 because of COVID, and then he spent the next two seasons putting up decent numbers in the Dominican Summer League. He came stateside in 2023 and held his own over 33 games in the Florida Complex League. A return to the FCL in 2024 saw his production explode, as he hit .291 with 10 homers and 14 steals before finishing with a decent 21-game stretch in Low-A Lakeland.

Physical description: Fana is listed at 5-foot-10 and 175 pounds, but he appears at least 20 pounds heavier than that. He’s got a stout frame the belies solid athleticism, reminiscent of Juan Uribe. His left-handed stance is closed, with his front shoulder pointed toward third base and front heel raised. His right-handed stance is more open, but in both instances his lifts his front leg slightly and squares himself before swinging.

Hit: 30

Fana looks like a solid hitter when he can get his hands extended. But his bat speed is pedestrian, he struggles against inside velocity, and he frequently swings over the top of offspeed pitches. He has a decent eye at the plate and doesn’t chase too much, but he can be beaten in the zone.

Power: 45

Fana has deceptive power, with good feel for backspinning the ball to center and his pull side. He doesn’t look like he’s swinging hard, but his ball just keeps carrying.

Run: 40

Fana is aggressive and smart on the basepaths, but he takes a little while to get going. A fringe-average runner underway who can leg out doubles and triples.

Defense: 50

Capable of playing all three outfield positions, and shows good instincts. Unlikely to have the range needed to stick in center long term, but he can handle it now, and he has the arm to play either corner.

Arm: 50

Fana shows average arm strength from the outfield, and he generally makes accurate throws and good decisions.

Overall: Nomar Fana is a quality minor-league player, but thus far he has been a little bit older than his competition. He lacks standout tools, and he is unlikely to hit much as he climbs the ladder. We wouldn’t completely close the door on his his bat continuing to develop, though, and if it does he could be a quality multi-year contributor in the upper minors.