Michael

Aubrey

Aubrey has been taking yoga classes after being sidelined by strained muscles the last two years. “It entailed a lot of stretching,” he said. “I think the classes went really well. I feel good.” Aubrey, a 2003 first-round pick, might be Cleveland’s first baseman in 2006.

He has destroyed Class A Carolina League pitching, batting .341 and knocking in 50 runs, second in the circuit. Aubrey, the 11th overall pick in last year’s amateur draft, looks to be everything the Indians hoped he’d be and more. He could be the Tribe’s starting first baseman by 2006.

A former first-round pick, Aubrey has been injured for most of the past two seasons. He strained his right knee sliding into a base last week.

Aubrey hit .286/.417/.607 in 28 at-bats for Single-A Kinston after recovering from a rib-cage strain that cost him the first month.

Aubrey, who ended up missing more than a month with a hamstring injury suffered July 7, is batting .260/.337/.384 in 20 games for Akron.

The Indians gambled and won when they left a bunch of interesting prospects available in the Rule 5 draft a year ago and none were taken. They’re being more cautious this year. Aubrey and Snyder were locks, but the three pitchers are just relief prospects. Unprotected players include 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff, RHP Nick Pesco, LHP Dan Cevette and 3B Matt Whitney. Also, there’s OF Jason Cooper, who we thought would be taken last year.

He’ll probably need another month or two off after a performance like that. Aubrey, a 2003 first-round pick, played in just 42 games between 2005 and 2006. He’s 25 now, so one more prolonged absence could doom him. He’d have to turn in a big season to work his way back into the Indians’ plans.

Aubrey seems healthy enough, so there’s little point to leaving him in the Carolina League any longer. The 25-year-old has hit .400 with five homers and five doubles in 13 games since coming off the DL on May 21.

Aubrey is batting .265/.359/.456 in 68 at-bats. The 25-year-old wasn’t very good in Double-A when healthy last season, and injuries have turned him into quite a long shot to have a career in the majors.