Willy Aybar

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #22 prospect in 2006
  After the Dodgers dropped a then-Dominican record $1.4 million bonus to sign Aybar in 2000, he progressed slowly but surely. Promoted in September to fill Los Angeles' seasonlong hole at third base, he collected seven hits in his first three major league starts and hit safely in 20 of 22 big league starts. The problem is that while he has attractive tools, he doesn't profile well at any position. He uses a patient approach to spray line drives to all fields, and on defense he offers above-average arm strength and sound hands. But he doesn't have the range or agility to handle second base and he hasn't shown the pop teams want at the hot corner, leaving him as a 'tweener. After hitting a career-high 15 homers in 2004, he dropped to five last year at Las Vegas--which features one of the best hitter's parks in the minors. He gets pull-conscious when he's behind in the count. Aybar may get an opportunity to fit into the Dodgers third-base mix in 2006, but he's not the long-term answer.
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  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #25 prospect in 2005
  With Aybar posting modest power numbers in four minor league seasons and third baseman Andy LaRoche entering the system, the Dodgers moved Aybar from third to second in 2004. He responded with a career-high 15 homers and a career-best RBI total. His brother Erick also enjoyed a strong season in the Angels system and is considered one of the minors' top middle-infield prospects. Willy doesn't have his brother's speed or athleticism, and some scouts doubt he can stick at second base. He has good hands and an above-average arm, but his range is average to slightly below and he has stiff actions around the bag. His best tool is his bat. Aybar has a fluid, natural swing from the left side, and shows more bat speed and a shorter stroke from the right. He makes good contact and began driving balls with more regularity last year. He uses the whole field early in counts but gets pull-conscious when he's behind and chases fastballs up in the zone. He is better defensively than Delwyn Young but doesn't have the same power potential of Young or Etanislao Abreu. Aybar could reach the majors in the next two years, but he has fallen behind other players on the Dodgers depth chart and could become trade bait. He will spend most of 2005 at Triple-A.
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  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #13 prospect in 2004
  Aybar, who signed for a then-Dominican-record $1.4 million in January 2000 (since eclipsed by Joel Guzman's $2.25 million deal), bounced back from a disappointing 2002 season. He never got untracked that year after visa problems caused him to miss spring training and arrive at high Class A a month into the season. His younger brother Erick is a hot shortstop prospect on the way up in the Angels organization. At the plate, Aybar hits line drives from both sides of the plate, showing more bat speed from the right side and a smooth, easy stroke from the left. He hit .298 batting lefthanded versus .224 righthanded in 2003. He keeps his hands back and hitting offspeed stuff well. He's patient but scouts don't believe that necessarily equates into good plate discipline or pitch recognition. Defensively, Aybar is one of the best defensive infielders in the system, capable of making plays on the run and throwing strikes to first with his plus arm strength. He still needs to mature and improve his overall approach. If his power doesn't come, some in the organization think Aybar could slide over to second base. Aybar is one prospect the Dodgers need to promote cautiously. After two years in high Class A, he's ready for Double-A.
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  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #17 prospect in 2003
  Aybar was No. 7 on the Dodgers prospect list in each of the first two years after he signed for a then-Dominican record $1.4 million in January 2000. (The mark since has been shattered by Joel Guzman's $2.25 million deal.) Aybar, whose brother Eric is a rising prospect in the Angels organization, got off to an inauspicious start last spring when he wasn't allowed into the United States because he couldn't produce documents to verify his identity. He didn't join the Dodgers until the end of spring training and it was the end of April before he was in the Vero Beach lineup. The good news was that his age was confirmed. The bad news was that he missed significant development time playing the waiting game with the U.S. consulate, though he did work out at the Dodgers' Dominican complex. Young and immature, Aybar is a high-maintenance prospect. He has developed a patient approach at the plate, perhaps at the expense of his aggressiveness. He doesn't identify pitches well and gives away too many at-bats. His swing is smooth and effortless from both sides of the plate, and he can drive the ball to all fields. An amateur shortstop, Aybar shows swift actions at third base but his lower half is getting thicker. He also has soft hands and a plus arm. His performance doesn't merit a promotion to Double-A and he'd be best served with another year in high Class A.
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  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #7 prospect in 2002
  Before signing Joel Guzman, the Dodgers had the previous record for a Dominican bonus when they gave Aybar $1.4 million. Though his power output in low Class A was nearly identical to his production in Rookie ball, Los Angeles wasn't disappointed with his performance in his first full year as a pro. The Dodgers believe Aybar will be a power-hitting machine. He has a sweet swing and the potential to drive balls from both sides of the plate. His quick, strong wrists keep him from being fooled often. At third base, Aybar shows outstanding hands and a good arm. He needs to add strength to his growing body, in order to get more pop as well as endurance. He has a good eye, but improvement with his pitch recognition will increase his average. Los Angeles may have pushed Aybar last year, though his numbers at Great Falls in 2000 merited a promotion. The Dodgers are in no hurry to get Aybar to the big leagues, preferring instead to see him develop a strong foundation of success. He'll head to high Class A this spring.
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  Ranked Los Angeles Dodgers #7 prospect in 2001
  The Dodgers signed Aybar last January for a $1.4 million bonus, which established a new high for a Dominican amateur. He showed the ability to make adjustments against more experienced players and ranked as the 14th-best prospect in the Rookie-level Pioneer League. Scouts rave about the different sound the ball makes off Aybar's bat compared to most players'. Though aggressive at the plate, he remains under control most of the time. The switch-hitter has power from both sides that should enable him to hit 30-plus homers annually. Aybar also made the move to third after playing shortstop as an amateur. He has good hands, a consistent glove and a strong arm. Not unlike most players his age, Aybar needs to add strength, which should occur naturally as his body continues to mature. More experience is also paramount at this stage in his career. He handled an advanced Rookie league last year with no problem. The Dodgers will be patient because of his youth and may have him return to Great Falls in 2001, though a promotion to Wilmington is a definite possibility.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Pioneer League #14 prospect in 2000
  Aybar is also 17, already switch-hits and held his own at the plate. Norman lauded his aggressiveness with the bat, and it was good, controlled aggressiveness. Aybar struck out a respectable 45 times in 266 at-bats. "It's scary to think what he might do down the road," Bustabad said.

• December, 1999 Scouting Report
  Aybar is also 17, already switch-hits and held his own at the plate. Norman lauded his aggressiveness with the bat, and it was good, controlled aggressiveness. Aybar struck out a respectable 45 times in 266 at-bats. "It's scary to think what he might do down the road," Bustabad said.