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Do IT this week: Layering
Wedge finding ways to get Garko, Aubrey enough chances to play
By Sheldon Ocker
Beacon Journal sportswriter
Published on Monday, Jun 02, 2008
KANSAS CITY, MO.: It is something the Indians probably won't have to face. Then again, stranger things have happened. Much stranger.
What if Ryan Garko and Michael Aubrey prove to be impact hitters? Can they both remain on the team if they play only one position — the same position?
Garko is a former catcher who was deemed a defensive liability. He has made the transition to first base, and whereas nobody compares him to Keith Hernandez or Eddie Murray in their prime, he has done an adequate job defensively, and he's getting better.
Like Garko, Aubrey is regarded as a hitter first, but he is an above-average defender at first. He made his major-league debut two weeks ago, after being called up to fill a roster spot temporarily. So it would be something of an upset if he stayed with the Tribe all year, partly because he plays the same position as Garko.
However, in the infant stages of his career, Aubrey has shown flashes of being the professional hitter he is reputed to be. His only negative has been a tendency to miss large chunks of seasons because of injuries.
''Garko is still going to be our first baseman,'' manager Eric Wedge said. ''I'm not going to jump head over heels for Aubrey after a week or two.''
Wedge has made certain to give Aubrey playing time, in part to break him into the majors and because Garko has been struggling at the plate. Aubrey's defense also is a factor.
''I think that's part of it,'' Wedge said. ''Aubrey is a good first baseman. He moves around better than Garko.''
So could there be room permanently for Garko and Aubrey on the same team?
''If Aubrey can stay healthy and Garko is more consistent at the plate,'' Wedge said, ''we would find a way to make it work.''
Before the transition to first a couple of years ago, Garko was a career catcher who also played third base in high school. He also was a good enough athlete to play quarterback.
''I was a pitcher and played a little left field (as a freshman) in college, because we had another first baseman who couldn't play anything else,'' Aubrey said. ''But it didn't feel natural to me; I had played first so much.''
Garko and Aubrey connected even before joining the Indians' organization. Aubrey, who also pitched at Tulane, faced Garko, a Stanford alumnus, in the College World Series.
Sheldon Ocker can be reached at socker@thebeaconjournal.com.
KANSAS CITY, MO.: It is something the Indians probably won't have to face. Then again, stranger things have happened. Much stranger.
Get the full article here.
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