Aybar works way into offensive prowess

ANAHEIM -- Erick Aybar entered the 2009 season with the label of a classic great-fielding shortstop with plenty of speed to burn and a rocket arm, but with a bat that left something to be desired.

Angels at a glance 2009 record: 97-65 2008 record: 100-62 AL West champs WHO ARE THESE GUYS? • Figgins: Staying true • Angels: Road warriors • Figgins/Abreu: Spark plugs • Bullpen: Stepping up • Figgins: The ignitor • Scioscia: Fundamental key • Vlad: Focused on present • Hatcher: Enjoying success • Scioscia: Approach the key • Aybar: More than just glove • Morales: Putting it together • Abreu: Lauded by 'mates • Wilson: Not alone • Vlad: Resume builder • Weaver: Family matters • Abreu: Hall of Famer? • Saunders: Overcame injury • Lackey: Playoff veteran • Kazmir: Ties to Morales • Jepsen: Remembering Nick • Weaver: Path to pros • Hunter: Humbled by honor • Lackey: It all began in '02 • Weaver: Growing as player • Reagins: Built from within • Morales: Back in the groove • Abreu: Influence extends • Scioscia: Catcher at heart • Lackey: Halos' leader • Morales: Gomez's legacy • Abreu: Embracing his role • Jepsen: Honoring Adenhart • Lackey: Takes place as ace • Weaver: Glue of staff • Scioscia: Postseason fixture • Morales: Perseverance More Angels coverage • Halos' title run comes to an end Vlad's gaffe latest blunder on bases Angels won't let rain stall momentum Who will handle changes best? Rain-induced rest should benefit both Rain may clear way for Lackey in Game 7 Halos ready for Round 6 of tight tussle Escape to New York: Angels take Game 5 Bauman: Moves don't cost Halos in the end Bats finally break out against Yankees Angels place fate in Lackey's hands Mathis brings QB skills to job Sporting News tabs Scioscia top skipper Halos staying positive despite deficit Stymied by CC, Angels on the brink California weather suits Lackey Umpires shaky on several Game 4 calls UConn tragedy hits home for Scioscia Kazmir rady for Game 4 Mathis lifts Angels in Game 3 Bauman: Halos prove they're a tough out Momentum shift in store for Game 4? Kendrick sparks rally Mathis delivers biggest hit of career Vlad silences critics Kazmir gets chance to prove worth Vlad remains in cleanup role Home cooking could revive Angels Halos not making excuses Hunter saw A-Rod's homer coming Angels drop heartbreaker in Game 2 Weaver in control at home in Game 3 'D' betraying Halos at worst possible time Halos falling short in RISP-y situations Neighborhood non-call the 'right call' Figgins' slump-buster nearly a game-winner Saunders rewards Scioscia's faith Halos come to life in wild fifth Defense abandons Angels in Game 1 Yankees benefit on close call at first Fielding miscues costly in Game 1 Saunders ready after long break Angels stun Sox in ninth, finish sweep Halos bury demons at Fenway Moreno revels in Angels' sweep Red Sox tip their hats to Angels Left side of infield a strength Fuentes wraps up phenomenal ALDS Vlad's heroics a long time coming Aybar rises to occasion in Game 3 Halos ready to go after late arrival Fenway doesn't faze Kazmir Angels making Sox taste own medicine Abreu getting due credit Oliver has reinvented himself Weaver's gem puts Angels in control Game 3 setup forces Angels to adjust Aybar, Izturis live up to clutch reputations Weavers etch spot in postseason lore Lackey baffles Red Sox in Game 1 Weaver must set aside second-half falloff Napoli earns Game 2 rematch with Beckett With 10 pitchers, Halos set ALDS roster Halos need quick start against Sox Lackey eyes October success Angels twice as tough at second Early adversity a motivation Fuentes set to thrive in playoffs Angels need wins at the Big A Bulger raring to face Red Sox Abreu embodies aggressive style Angels healthy, deep in rematch Halos out to end hex Ready for ALDS, Kazmir mows down A's Weaver excels in final tuneup Angels drop regular-season home finale Halos team up to one-hit Rangers Angels wrap up AL playoff picture History vs. Sox means nothing to Torii Angels shuffle rotation in wake of title Halos tee up title clincher by holding off A's Huge lead becomes crushing loss Magic number still four as A's win Gloves recharged, Angels believe Angels on losing side of duel in finale Morales providing value daily to Angels Angels get breather, then go back to grind Oliver's skills highly valued by Angels Halos rally to tie Yanks, fall in end Saunders puzzles Yankees in series opener Kendrick's five RBIs help Lackey win No. 102 Angels willing to learn Abreu's lessons Napoli trying to recapture Fenway magic Halos fall in makeup game with Yanks Hunter's homer drives Halos past Sox Angels fall despite late rally Angels down White Sox, pad lead Lackey goes distance, silences Mariners

After all, he entered the season as one of the game's rangiest defenders, but had a career .262 batting average and a .298 on-base percentage while also struggling at the plate in the 2008 postseason with two hits in 18 at-bats as the Angels fell to the Red Sox in four games.

But the label was a bit unfair, considering Aybar was a .312 hitter in the Minors and his batting average in the Majors improved to a respectable .277 last season.

Aybar, though, made it a point to work on his offense this season, and it certainly paid off as the speedy switch-hitter led the team with a .312 average to go along with a much-improved .353 on-base percentage.

The change didn't come overnight, however, as Aybar spent much of the season working to get better at the plate.

"I've been coming to the ballpark earlier," Aybar explained. "I've been getting a lot of advice from Bobby Abreu, Torii Hunter and [hitting coach] Mickey Hatcher. And I've been watching a lot of videos from the opposing pitchers, and that's been paying on off for me."

It further paid off in Game 2 of the American League Division Series on Friday night, when he roped a crucial two-run triple in the seventh inning off Josh Beckett to help lead the Angels to a 2-0 series lead.

Aybar has made the Red Sox pay this postseason with three hits in seven at-bats after taking criticism last year, along with second baseman Howard Kendrick, for failing to produce in the postseason.

The middle-infield duo combined for four hits in 35 at-bats in the postseason for a .114 batting average, but it's certainly changed this postseason, as the two have already matched those four hits in 12 at-bats for a .333 average.

Hatcher said he's already noticed a big difference in those two as the experience last season helped them want to get better this time around.

"I think a lot of it has to do with maturity," Hatcher said. "I think those guys really believe they can play. Being a young guy on a championship-caliber team is tough. It's not about developing anymore, you have to play winning baseball."

Aybar has certainly been helping the Angels play winning baseball with his glove this season, as he's rated as one of the game's top shortstops by just about every standard out there -- he finished the season tied for seventh in the Majors in fielding percentage and also finished sixth in the Majors in the advanced defensive metric, "ultimate zone rating."

So, Aybar not only has the range to get balls most defenders cannot, he also rarely makes a mistake with his soft hands and strong arm.

And his impressive work at shortstop this year hasn't gone unnoticed by Angels manager Mike Scioscia.

"You look at what he's done defensively, I think he deserves a Gold Glove," Scioscia said. "He and Chone on the left side of the infield have been terrific, Gold Glove caliber."

It's a sentiment echoed by the pitching staff as well as the Angels pitchers know that a ground ball to the left side is usually an out with the rangy and athletic Aybar and Figgins scooping up nearly everything in sight.

"When a ball's hit to the left side of the infield, I'm OK with that," right-hander John Lackey said, grinning. "We've got a lot of talent over there with Figgy and Aybar."

And perhaps the most impressive thing about Aybar's transformation into a complete player is that he's still only 25 years old, and he just completed his first full season as the team's everyday shortstop.

"He's feeling comfortable playing at the big league level every day," Scisocia said. "Offensively, he's comfortable when to freelance and be creative and when to have an at-bat where he's working the counts. He's done a good job of that."