Los Angeles Angels have veteran leadership at shortstop in Aybar

Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Erick Aybar

Grade: B

Aybar first came up to the majors in 2006, playing in 34 games that year. The following season, he appeared in almost half the team’s games as a backup for Orlando Cabrera before taking over in 2008 as the everyday shortstop.

Aybar has been an above average defender and a slightly above average hitter in his time with the Los Angeles Angels. For his career, Aybar has a .276 average while averaging six home runs and 55 RBIs. He has also averaged 19 stolen bases and 76 runs per season.

In 2015, Aybar’s performance was a little below his career averages at the plate as Aybar finished with a .270 batting average, hitting only three home runs and driving in 44 runs. He stole 15 bases and scored 74 runs. Aybar’s home run total was a career low and his RBI total was the third lowest in his career. Defensively, he made 17 errors in 621 total chances for a .973 fielding percentage.

The 31-year old Aybar will be entering his final season of a five-year, $40 million contract. So Aybar’s time in Angel red may be numbered as he might test the free agent waters.

What Aybar lacks in his offense, he more than makes up for it with his glove and also his leadership. Next to Jered Weaver, who was called up a few months before Aybar in 2006, he is the second-longest tenured Angel player. Despite the lower numbers on offense, Aybar still had a solid season anchoring the infield with 155 games played at shortstop. Hopefully, he will have another productive season in 2016.

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