Clippers Spotlight: Michael Aubrey

As we get closer to the season, I’ll start focusing on some players that we’ll likely see at Huntington Park this year. I’m not going in any particular order, but we’ll start at the beginning of the alphabet for now:

 

Michael Aubrey 1B/DH

6-0, 195, L/L

Born: 4/15/82 (26); Shreveport, LA

Resides: Shreveport, LA

Acquired: Indians 1^st round pick (11^th overall) in 2003 draft

 

Contract Status: non-40 man

 

Transactions: Designated for Assignment (1/6/09) upon signing Carl Pavano

 

Spring Training: Major League Invitation

 

Injuries, injuries, injuries:

2008 – finally played a full season, but still had some shoulder problems last year (DL from 6/12 to 6/20)

2007- pulled right hamstring (missed first month and half of season) and left abdominal strain (DL from 8/14 to 8/22)

2006 – played only 42 games due to various injuries (lower back strain early; strained right knee ended his year)

2005 - played in only 28 games – lower back injury (played only one game after April)

2004 – strained right hamstring (DL from 7/8 -8/13) shortly after Double-A debut in Akron

2003 – signed pro contract on 6/16, debuted on 6/18, strained left quad on 6/19 (missed one month)

 

September call-up in 2006, but did not appear in a game… made his Major League debut last year on May 17^th and his first hit was a HR on May 18^th (vs. Cincinnati).

 

Comparison to Alex Escobar: Both highly touted Indians players with multiple injuries at a young age.

 

Graduated in 2000 from Southwood High School in Shreveport LA (pitcher & first base)… named Louisiana Player of Year as a senior

 

Played at Tulane (Green Wave)… teammate of Andy Cannizaro… named Conference USA Player of the Year in 2003 (Junior, final year)… Golden Spikes Award Finalist (given to best player in college baseball)… as a pitcher, went 11-2 4.88 ERA

 

Played for US National Team in 2002… led team with .405 BA, 6 HR, and 29 RBI in 29 games.

 

Rated 8^th best prospect in 2003 draft by Baseball America… was once #2 prospect in Indians organization (after 2004 season)