Aviles Shares A.L. Weekly Honor
Published on August 4, 2008 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Omaha Storm Chasers News Release
OMAHA, NE - Kansas City Royals shortstop Mike Aviles, who began this season tearing the cover off the ball for the Omaha Royals, was named today as co-winner of the American League Player of the Week. Aviles, who did not make his big league debut until May 29, shares the award with New York Yankees outfielder Xavier Nady, who played his entire career in the National League until a July 25 trade shipped him to the junior circuit.
For the week, Aviles hit .577 (15-for-26) with three doubles, a triple, two home runs and five RBI. His big week at the plate helped the Royals to a 5-1 record while playing the A's and the White Sox. Aviles, a New York native, took home his first career weekly award.
Nady, meanwhile, was in his first full week with New York after being dealt from the Pirates to the Yankees. He didn't take long to make an impression on his new teammates, hitting .526 (10-for-19) last week, including three doubles, three homers and ten RBI.
Aviles supplanted Tony Pena, Junior as Kansas City's starting shortstop on June 6th - D Day - and it could stand for "Dynamite", which is what Aviles has been ever since. In 52 games with KC, he's hitting .340 with 19 doubles, two triples, seven home runs and 31 RBI. The 5'-9" shortstop owns a .550 slugging percentage in his rookie season in the big leagues.
In 51 contests with Omaha to open the season, Aviles batted .336 with ten homers, 42 RBI and a .631 slugging percentage. This was the 27-year old infielder's third season at the Triple-A level.
Two Kansas City pitchers, right-hander Zack Greinke (2-0, 2.63 ERA for the week) and closer Joakim Soria (four saves last week) were also nominated for the weekly award.
Aviles and Nady will each be presented with luxury engraved Swiss Tourneau timepieces in recognition of their achievements as Players of the Week, presented by Bank of America.
Pacific Coast League Stories from August 4, 2008
- McAnulty, Ambres, Antonelli homer in 9-5 victory - Portland Beavers
- 'Cats win fourth straight - Sacramento River Cats
- Angels Recall Loux, Option O'Day to Salt Lake - Salt Lake Bees
- Cubs doubled up by Salt Lake - Iowa Cubs
- Z's win pitcher's duel - New Orleans Baby Cakes
- Sidewinders Blow Late Lead, Fall to RedHawks - Tucson Sidewinders
- Aviles Shares A.L. Weekly Honor - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Wade LeBlanc Named PCL Pitcher of the Week - Portland Beavers
- RedHawks Beat Sidewinders, 13-7 - Oklahoma City Comets
- Royals Game Notes - Omaha Storm Chasers
- Alvarado Placed on DL, Ortega Promoted from Arkansas - Salt Lake Bees
- Oklahoma RedHawks Game Notes - Oklahoma City Comets
- PCL Players of the Week - PCL1
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