Tribe's Top Prospects: No. 29 Michael Aubrey

This player preview appears in the March issue of Indians Ink Magazine, which profiles the top prospects in the Cleveland Indians organization. This year's issue has expanded coverage, providing profiles of the top 100 prospects, as ranked by Indians Ink staff members. The issue includes an interview with new player development director Ross Atkins.

Just when it seemed like things couldn’t get any worse for Michael Aubrey, they did.

The oft-injured former first round draft choice missed all but 14 games in 2006 due to rib and knee injuries. He previously had back, hamstring and quad injuries that cost him playing time.

Still, the untapped potential Aubrey possesses lands him at No. 29 on the Indians Ink list of the Tribe’s Top 100 Prospects. He was ranked No. 9 a year ago in anticipation of his finally putting together a healthy, productive season.

Aubrey, who was the 11th overall pick in 2003 out of Tulane University, has played only a total of 178 games in four professional seasons. In those games, he has hit .311 with 133 RBI.

In addition, Aubrey is the best defensive first baseman in the system and has the potential to be one of the best in all of baseball.

The Indians are now hoping that the 6-0, 195-pound left-hander will be ready to join a full-season team at the beginning of the 2007 season. But they also know there are no guarantees because of Aubrey's history of injuries.

They had hoped he’d be recovered enough from the season-ending right knee strain that he had suffered while playing for the Akron Aeros in May to participate in the Florida Instructional League and then the Arizona Fall League.

But just about the time his knee was healthy, Aubrey had a flare-up in the rib cage injury that had kept him in extended spring training to begin the year.

The Indians are frustrated with the situation, but no one is more frustrated than Aubrey. He had hoped to be in the major leagues by this time.

Aubrey has extremely quick hands, allowing him to make solid contact more often than not. He drives the ball into the gaps and is not, at least at this point of his career, a big home run hitter.

He has hit 27 home runs in 650 career at-bats and should develop into more of a power hitter if and when he is able to play on a consistent basis. He has struck out just 93 times as he rarely swings and misses.

The only pitch Aubrey has much trouble with is the inside fastball.

No. 29
Michael Aubrey, age 24
1st round, 2003; Tulane; Shreveport, LA.
Projected 2007: Akron

Michael Aubrey	   G  AB   H  R HR RBI SB AVG.
2006 Kinston 	   8  28   8  8  2  10  0 .286 
2006 Akron	   6  26   7  3  1   2  0 .269 
Minor career     178 650 202 97 27 133  4 .311