Top 5 Los Angeles Angels Shortstops of All-Time

2. Erick Aybar –

Erick Aybar came up with the Angels in 2006, but he did not assume the starting shortstop role in his first two seasons as that was held by Orlando Cabrera. Once Aybar took over at short in 2008 he was there until he was traded this winter.

Aybar’s career numbers are very good except for his power numbers. He was a .278 career hitter for the Los Angeles Angels with 48 HR’s and 417 runs batted in.  He also stole 141 and scored 572 runs.  His best season was in 2009 when he batted .312 with five homers and 58 RBI’s while stealing 14 bases.  He had career highs that season with an OBP of .353, nine triples, and his .312 batting average.

Aybar earned one Gold Glove in 2011 and was named to the All-Star team in 2013.  Aybar holds a .973 fielding percentage and made the spectacular plays look routine.

What made Aybar even more special was his leadership.  He was known for helping younger players by mentoring them during their first few years in the majors. Most recently he took Cuban prospect Roberto Baldaquin aside, mentoring him by calling him weekly and has helped him with adjusting to the United States.

“Erick and I have an unbelievable friendship as he took me under his wing when I first got here,” Baldaquin said through an interpreter in an interview I did with him last season. “We talk almost every day and he has helped to get through the every day grind of the season. He has been awesome.”

You could not ask for more of team player than Erick Aybar and this combined with his production on the field is why he is #2 all-time shortstop in club history.

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