Mike Aviles
| AB | 3009 |
|---|---|
| AVG | .261 |
| OBP | .295 |
| SLG | .376 |
| HR | 60 |
- Full name Michael Anthony Aviles
- Born 03/13/1981 in New York, NY
- Profile Ht.: 5'10" / Wt.: 205 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Concordia (NY)
- Debut 05/29/2008
- Drafted in the 7th round (192nd overall) by the Kansas City Royals in 2003 (signed for $1,000).
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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The former Division II player of the year has moved level-to-level through the Royals system after signing for $1,000 out of the 2003 draft, part of an organization cost-cutting effort that focused around drafting college seniors. Aviles has always displayed a short, compact swing and quick bat, and turned in his best year as a professional in his second stint in Triple-A. He's a gap hitter with some power who has the potential to balance a big league lineup in a utility role. Though Aviles has plenty of arm to play shortstop, he lacks range and touch for the position and profiles best as an offensive-minded second baseman. The Royals left him off the 40-man roster but still feel he could be a contributor in the big leagues. He'll compete for a major league job in spring training but is more likely headed back for another year in Triple-A, waiting for an opportunity to open up. -
Looking to save money in the 2003 draft, Kansas City selected college seniors with its fifth- through ninth-round picks and signed them for $1,000 each. The best of that group, Aviles won NCAA Division II player-of-the-year honors that spring and the Arizona League MVP award that summer. His uncle Ramon, a former big leaguer, managed the Brewers' low Class A West Virginia affiliate in 2005. The Royals believe Aviles can develop into a solid utility player similar to Jose Hernandez. Aviles rarely misses a fastball and has average power for a middle infielder. He usually makes solid contact, though he doesn't walk much. Breaking balls can give him trouble, as he often fails to recognize them and can't lay off them. Defensively, Aviles doesn't offer enough range or consistency (he made 41 errors in 2005) to win an everyday job, but he'd be a fine fit as a utility player capable of playing any infield spot and offering some pop. He has hit at each level, and there's no reason to think he won't play well enough at Triple-A this year to merit a late look in Kansas City. -
Area scout Steve Connelly wanted to sign Aviles after his junior season at Concordia College, but had to wait until he earned NCAA Division II player of the year honors as a senior in 2003. Aviles shortened his stroke and led D-II in batting (.500), slugging (1.016), homers (22) and runs (83) that spring, and the Royals made sure they got him by spending a seventh-round pick on him (albeit with only a $1,000 bonus). Aviles was the Arizona League MVP in 2003, then capped his banner season by holding his own in winter ball in Puerto Rico. He played for Carolina, where his uncle Ramon (a former big leaguer) was a coach. Aviles kept producing in 2004, thanks to a compact swing and solid strength for his size. He led the Carolina League in doubles and ranked third in hits after jumping three levels to high Class A. He makes good contact but could stand to draw more walks. Aviles' arm and hands rate as solid-average, though he's not as quick or rangy as most shortstops. Aviles is the sort of overachiever organizations love to uncover, but also one who must prove himself at each level. His bat will determine whether he becomes an everyday middle infielder or a utility player, and his next test will come in Double-A. -
Area scout Steve Connelly pushed to select Aviles as a college junior in 2002, then watched him explode to become the NCAA Division II player of the year as a senior. Aviles shortened his stroke and led Division II players in batting (.500), slugging (1.016), homers (22) and runs (83). The Royals had to draft him earlier than expected in the 2003 draft, but still signed him for $1,000 as a seventh-rounder. He delivered an MVP year in the Arizona League, leading the circuit in runs and doubles. Aviles is a contact hitter with a knack for making adjustments. He should have average power. He's a natural fielder with good hands, an above-average arm and average speed, but he sometimes tries to be too flashy. He ultimately may not have the range for shortstop and might have to move to second base. He spent the offseason in Puerto Rico, playing for Carolina, where his uncle Ramon (a former big leaguer) is a bench coach. The Royals will push Aviles through the system quickly, and he'll begin 2004 in high Class A.
Minor League Top Prospects
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Aviles was the NCAA Division II player of the year at Concordia (N.Y.) in the spring and the AZL MVP in the summer. If the Royals had a more advanced short-season club, the 22-year-old Aviles never would have set foot in the league. "He would have been a top prospect if he were 19, but not 22," McPherson said. "He showed good range at shortstop and hit the ball all over." While Aviles was considered the league's most advanced player, he still made a lot of subtle adjustments. Simmons said Aviles improved dramatically at handling relay throws and getting an angle on balls hit to his right.
