PT TOMORROW: NL West—Is Aybar really the answer in San Diego?

San Diego Padres

When Erick Aybar (SS, SD) was handed the starting shortstop gig at the end of March, he was coming off a decent (if unspectacular) spring—15 hits (2 HR) in 54 at-bats (.278 BA), with 1 stolen base in 2 attempts to go along with a 7/4 K/BB rate. In his very small sample (34 AB) to start the season, the 33-year-old Aybar had 5 hits in 37 AB (.135) with no HR, RBI or SB. Although his current contact (92%) and walk (16%) rates are encouraging, his lack of hard contact (44 HctX) gives cause for concern, especially given the dramatic drop he experienced last year, from 88 (2015) down to 71 (2016). Add in his waning speed—only 3 steals in 8 attempts last year—and the question emerges as to how long he can hold onto a full-time...

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