Fantasy Baseball: Erick Aybar on a Roll

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim shortstop Erick Aybar is starting to feel it, stepping up his game as the temperature heats up. Currently, he is in the midst of a 10-game hitting streak and looking like a player to add in fantasy leagues.

For the month of June, Aybar is 25-for-76 (.329) with eight runs, a home run, eight RBI and a stolen base. He entered the month hitting .223 with a .535 OPS. His high average and .878 OPS have raised his season totals to .255 and .638. Neither are very attractive for fantasy owners, but his June numbers are a different story.

Part of the reason for the returned success is improved luck. Aybar’s BABIP in April was .265 and it was .253 in May. So far for June, though, he has increased that number to .358. His number for the year is now .289, which is closer to the .305 career mark he’s posted.

While Aybar has picked up hitting, his stolen base totals have not followed suit. He has just one stolen base this month and five this year. Coming off a 30-steal season (22 in 2010, 14 in 2009), the lack of stolen bases has been a letdown.

However, as he improves his average and his on-base percentage (.259 and .247 in April and May, .378 in June) his chances are better to get back on track.

Aybar is owned in less than 40 percent of fantasy leagues. He has some value at shortstop, but for leagues utilizing a middle infield slot his value increases. He will need to get back on track with his stolen bases to maximize that value.

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