Mike Aviles

2013

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2012

Aviles split time between Kansas City and Boston as a utility player, seeing time at second base, third base, shortstop and both corner-outfield spots. He played in the outfield in Puerto Rico this offseason, looking to establish himself as more than just an infielder. He can run and hit a little, and the Red Sox need a stopgap at short for at least the 2012 season as Jose Iglesias is not ready to hit in the big leagues. As a result, Aviles should regain shortstop eligibility in April while sharing time at the position with Nick Punto.

2011

After riding the bench for the season's first week, Aviles was sent down to Triple-A for almost a month before being recalled to the Royals in 2010. He responded by playing in a career-high 110 games while sporting a .304/.335/.413 line, which is comparable, though a tick below, to his 2008 campaign. Aviles is 30, but he's played in just two full major-league seasons, which makes him somewhat of a wild card. The Royals will move him around the infield, as he played at least five games at three positions last year and figures to see more time at third base this year, giving his owners plenty of versatility along with some speed on the basepaths.

2010

After a breakout 2008, hitting .325 with 10 home runs and 51 RBI and being named the Royals' Player of the Year, Aviles had high expectations entering 2009. However, after only 36 games, Aviles was placed on the disabled list with a tear in his ulnar collateral ligament. Aviles underwent Tommy John surgery on July 8 officially ending his 2009 campaign. He hopes to be ready for the start of spring training, however competition for the starting middle-infield spots is strong in Kansas City. Yuniesky Betancourt was acquired from Seattle after Aviles' injury and Albert Callaspo is coming off a career year. Additionally, with the Royals acquiring Chris Getz in an offseason trade with the White Sox, playing time for Aviles is not a guarantee.

2009

The Royals promoted Aviles to the major league roster at the end of May when they realized Tony Pena wouldn't hit his way out of a slump, and he became the team's starting shortstop permanently in June. Despite the late start, he got in 419 at-bats and amassed a .325/.354/.480 line to go with 41 extra-base hits. It's hard to tell if he will be able to keep up his high .357 BABIP. He is reluctant to take a walk (just 14 non-intentional walks last year and 151 walks in 624 minor league games), but he also doesn't strike out all that much (58 K last year, never more than 64 in any minor league season). This means he should consistently put the ball in play and hopefully keep up the .357 BABIP from last year. He is more of a doubles hitter than a home-run hitter, and it would be unrealistic to expect a power surge as he turns 28 before the 2009 season. He is an adequate fielder at both second base and short, and it was unclear at press time which position he would play, but he is a lock for the No. 2 spot in the Royals' order.