Michael Aubrey

Aubrey attended Southwood High School (1997–2000) where he won the Gatorade Player of the Year award as a senior. He attended Tulane University from {{Baseball year|2001}}–{{Baseball year|2003}}. In 186 games with Tulane, Aubrey hit .368 with 38 home runs and 200 RBI. As a pitcher in 2001 and {{Baseball year|2002}}, he won 11 games and lost 2 with a 4.88 ERA. In 2001, he was named National Freshman of the Year by Baseball America, Collegiate Baseball and The Sporting News.{{cite web |title=Michael Aubrey |url=http://tulanegreenwave.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/mtt/aubrey_michael00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060830115754/http://tulanegreenwave.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/mtt/aubrey_michael00.html |archive-date=August 30, 2006 |access-date=May 8, 2007 |website=Tulane Green Wave |publisher=}}

In 2002, as a member of the USA National Team, he led the team in batting average, home runs and RBI. As a junior at Tulane in 2003, he was named Conference USA Player of the Year and was a finalist for the Golden Spikes Award, given annually to the top amateur baseball player in the United States.

Aubrey's talents were originally discovered by Brad Somrak while he was throwing a ball at a dunk tank at the Allegheny County Fairgrounds in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This was first reported by the Razor's Edge in the University of Akron student newspaper, the Buchtelite.

The Cleveland Indians selected Aubrey in the first round (11th overall) of the 2003 Major League Baseball draft.

{{cite book |url=http://pressbox.mlb.com/pressbox/downloads/y2007/cle/player_bios.pdf |title=Cleveland Indians: Media Guide 2007 |publisher=MLB Advanced Media |pages=[http://pressbox.mlb.com/pressbox/downloads/y2007/cle/player_bios.pdf#page=3 pg. 77-78] |access-date=May 8, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070704135559/http://pressbox.mlb.com/pressbox/downloads/y2007/cle/player_bios.pdf |archive-date=July 4, 2007 |url-status=dead}}

{{Cite web |last=Hill |first=Justice |date=June 3, 2003 |title=Indians use top pick on Aubrey |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/news/mlb_news.jsp?ymd=20030603&content_id=351899&vkey=draft2003&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050209002819/http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/news/mlb_news.jsp?ymd=20030603&content_id=351899&vkey=draft2003&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb |archive-date=February 9, 2005 |access-date=August 22, 2024 |website=MLB.com |publisher=MLB Advanced Media}} On June 16, 2003, he signed a contract with the Indians, and was assigned to the Single-A Lake County Captains to begin his professional career.{{Cite web |date=June 16, 2003 |title=Indians Reach Agreement With Aubrey |url=https://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/article/indians-reach-agreement-with-aubrey-755972.php |access-date=August 22, 2024 |website=The Beaumont Enterprise}} After getting injured in his second game and missing a month with a strained quad, Aubrey heated up at the end of July, hitting .385 from July 29 until the end of the season. Overall, Aubrey batted .348 with five home runs and 19 RBI in 38 games with Lake County.{{Cite web |title=Michael Aubrey Minor & Fall Leagues Statistics |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=aubrey001rob |access-date=August 22, 2024 |website=Baseball Reference |language=en}}

Aubrey began the 2004 season with the Single-A Kinston Indians, batting .339 with 10 home runs and 60 RBI in 60 games. He was named to the Carolina League All-Star team and was ranked fourth in the league in RBI and fifth in batting average before being promoted to the Double-A Akron Aeros on June 21. On July 8, Aubrey was placed on the disabled list with a strained hamstring. He was activated on August 13. In the final game of Akron's season on September 6 against the Harrisburg Senators, Aubrey finished 3-for-4 with two home runs and 5 RBI. In 38 games for the Aeros, he batted .261 with five home runs and 22 RBI. After the season, Aubrey was named Cleveland's second-best prospect by Baseball America.

Aubrey's injury problems continued in 2005. He was limited to only 28 games with Akron, and hit .283 with four home runs and 20 RBI. On May 10, he was placed on the disabled list with lower back inflammation, and although he was activated on June 10, he was limited to two at-bats in Akron's game that night due to continued soreness. He eventually was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his lower back, ending his season. On November 18, Aubrey was added to the Indians' 40-man roster.{{Cite web |date=November 21, 2005 |title=Former Wildcat Star Brian Slocum Added to Indians 40-Man Roster |url=https://villanova.com/news/2005/11/21/Former_Wildcat_Star_Brian_Slocum_Added_to_Indians_40_Man_Roster |access-date=August 22, 2024 |website=Villanova Wildcats |language=en}}

Aubrey did not participate in spring training activities in {{mlby|2006}} due his continued rehab from his back injury. He played in 14 combined games with Single-A Kinston and Double-A Akron, batting .278 with three home runs and 12 RBI. While playing with Akron, Aubrey suffered a right knee strain, which proved to be season-ending. He was recalled as a September call-up for the Indians on September 21, but did not appear in a Major League game due to his injury.{{Cite web |date=September 22, 2006 |title=Thursday's sports transactions |url=https://archive.triblive.com/news/thursdays-sports-transactions-28/ |access-date=August 22, 2024 |website=Pittsburgh Tribune-Review |agency=Associated Press}}

After recovering from his injury, Aubrey played out the {{mlby|2007}} season with Kinston and Akron, hitting a combined .277 with 12 home runs and 45 RBI in 65 games.

Aubrey began the {{mlby|2008}} season with Akron, batting .277 with two home runs and 16 RBI in 24 games.{{Cite web |date=May 17, 2008 |title=Indians promote Aubrey, option Sowers |url=http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20080517&content_id=2716831&vkey=pr_cle&fext=.jsp&c_id=cle |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080623013605/http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20080517&content_id=2716831&vkey=pr_cle&fext=.jsp&c_id=cle |archive-date=June 23, 2008 |access-date=August 22, 2024 |website=Cleveland Indians |publisher=MLB.com}} On May 2, he was promoted to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons for the first time, and hit .341 with four doubles and 5 RBI in his first 11 games. On May 17, Aubrey was recalled from Buffalo. He made his major league debut that day against the Cincinnati Reds, appearing as a defensive replacement at first base in the eighth inning and popping out in his first at bat.{{Cite web |date=May 17, 2008 |title=Cleveland Indians vs Cincinnati Reds Box Score: May 17, 2008 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CIN/CIN200805170.shtml |access-date=August 22, 2024 |website=Baseball Reference |language=en}} Aubrey collected his first major league hit, a home run, in his first career start on May 18.{{Cite web |last=Castrovince |first=Anthony |date=May 18, 2008 |title=Lee, Tribe fall to Reds in duel |url=http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/news/gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20080518&content_id=2724395&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=cle |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080519221312/http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/news/gameday_recap.jsp?ymd=20080518&content_id=2724395&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=cle |archive-date=May 19, 2008 |access-date=August 22, 2024 |website=Cleveland Indians |publisher=MLB.com}} He hit another home run in his next start on May 21 against the Chicago White Sox.{{Cite web |date=May 21, 2008 |title=Cleveland Indians vs Chicago White Sox Box Score: May 21, 2008 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHA/CHA200805210.shtml |access-date=August 22, 2024 |website=Baseball-Reference |language=en}} On June 2, he was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo after batting .185 in nine games.{{Cite web |last=Castrovince |first=Anthony |date=June 2, 2008 |title=Mastny to Tribe 'pen; Aubrey to Minors |url=http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080602&content_id=2824818&vkey=news_cle&fext=.jsp&c_id=cle |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080604162253/http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080602&content_id=2824818&vkey=news_cle&fext=.jsp&c_id=cle |archive-date=June 4, 2008 |access-date=August 22, 2024 |website=Cleveland Indians |publisher=MLB.com}} Aubrey was recalled again on September 2 when the active rosters expanded.{{Cite web |last=Castrovince |first=Anthony |date=September 2, 2008 |title=Indians add six September callups |url=http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080902&content_id=3405251&vkey=news_cle&fext=.jsp&c_id=cle |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080905031101/http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080902&content_id=3405251&vkey=news_cle&fext=.jsp&c_id=cle |archive-date=September 5, 2008 |access-date=August 22, 2024 |website=Cleveland Indians |publisher=MLB.com}} He batted .200 with two home runs and 3 RBI in 15 games with Cleveland in 2008.{{Cite web |title=Michael Aubrey Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/a/aubremi01.shtml |access-date=August 22, 2024 |website=Baseball Reference |language=en}}

On January 6, 2009, Aubrey was designated for assignment by the Indians to make room on the 40-man roster for Carl Pavano.{{cite web |last=Castrovince |first=Anthony |date=January 6, 2009 |title=Indians, Pavano reach one-year deal |url=http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090106&content_id=3734086&vkey=news_cle&fext=.jsp&c_id=cle |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110602074859/http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090106&content_id=3734086&vkey=news_cle&fext=.jsp&c_id=cle |archive-date=June 2, 2011 |website=Cleveland Indians |publisher=MLB.com}} Six days later, he cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Columbus.{{Cite web |date=January 12, 2009 |title=Indians sign catcher Shoppach |url=https://www.upi.com/Sports_News/2009/01/12/Indians-sign-catcher-Shoppach/84331231791151/ |access-date=August 22, 2024 |website=United Press International |language=en}} He attended Indians spring training in 2009 but was sent to minor league camp on March 24.{{Cite web |date=March 24, 2009 |title=Indians send LHP Sowers, 6 others to minors |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2009/03/24/indians-send-lhp-sowers-6-others-to-minors/ |access-date=August 22, 2024 |website=The San Diego Union-Tribune |language=en-US}} Aubrey began the season with the Triple-A Columbus Clippers, batting .293 with five home runs and 29 RBI in 57 games.

On June 24, 2009, Aubrey was traded to the Baltimore Orioles for a player to be named later, and he was assigned to the Triple-A Norfolk Tides.{{Cite web |last=Fordin |first=Spencer |date=June 24, 2009 |title=Orioles add Aubrey to Norfolk squad |url=http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090624&content_id=5504062&vkey=news_bal&fext=.jsp&c_id=bal |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090626032126/http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090624&content_id=5504062&vkey=news_bal&fext=.jsp&c_id=bal |archive-date=June 26, 2009 |access-date=August 22, 2024 |website=Baltimore Orioles |publisher=MLB.com}} Aubrey was recalled by the Orioles on August 18.{{Cite web |last=Nunez |first=Tammy |date=August 19, 2009 |title=Former Tulane baseball pitcher Michael Aubrey gets the call-up |url=https://www.nola.com/sports/tulane/former-tulane-baseball-pitcher-michael-aubrey-gets-the-call-up/article_ff6aab9a-762a-5e06-87b5-388dfc69083b.html |access-date=August 22, 2024 |website=NOLA.com |language=en}} In 31 games, he posted a .289 average with four home runs and 14 RBI.

On April 1, 2010, Aubrey was designated for assignment after the Orioles acquired infielder Julio Lugo.{{cite web |last=Connolly |first=Dan |date=April 1, 2010 |title=Orioles trade for veteran infielder Lugo |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2010/04/01/orioles-trade-for-veteran-infielder-lugo-2/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020203638/http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2010-04-01/sports/bal-orioles-acquire-julio-lugo-0401_1_brian-roberts-orioles-lugo-trade |archive-date=October 20, 2012 |access-date=August 22, 2024 |work=The Baltimore Sun}} He was later assigned to Norfolk, and spent the entire season with the Tides, hitting .235 with 22 home runs and 68 RBI in 102 games.

Aubrey signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals on December 20, 2010.{{Cite web |date=December 20, 2010 |title=Nationals Agree to Terms with Seven Players on Minor League Deals |url=http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20101220&content_id=16348328&vkey=pr_was&fext=.jsp&c_id=was |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110107205045/http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20101220&content_id=16348328&vkey=pr_was&fext=.jsp&c_id=was |archive-date=January 7, 2011 |access-date=August 22, 2024 |website=Washington Nationals |publisher=MLB.com}} On May 14, 2011, Aubrey hit four home runs and drove in seven runs in four at-bats for the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=May 14, 2011 |title=Nationals minor leaguer Aubrey hits 4 HRs |url=https://www.foxnews.com/sports/nationals-minor-leaguer-aubrey-hits-4-hrs |access-date=February 2, 2021 |website=Fox News |agency=Associated Press}} He finished the season batting .273 with 11 home runs and 35 RBI in 82 games.

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{{Portal|Baseball}}

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{{2003 MLB Draft}}

{{Cleveland Indians first-round draft picks}}

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Category:1982 births

Category:Living people

Category:Baseball players from Shreveport, Louisiana

Category:Major League Baseball first basemen

Category:Cleveland Indians players

Category:Baltimore Orioles players

Category:Tulane Green Wave baseball players

Category:Lake County Captains players

Category:Kinston Indians players

Category:Akron Aeros players

Category:Surprise Rafters players

Category:Buffalo Bisons (minor league) players

Category:Columbus Clippers players

Category:Norfolk Tides players

Category:Syracuse Chiefs players