By Jonathan O'Konis, Minor League Baseball Editor

When Jim Thome signed with the Philadelphia Phillies he left a huge void at first base for the Cleveland Indians. With the 11th pick in the 2003 draft, the Indians selected hitting star Michael Aubrey from the Tulane Green Wave. Aubrey, the 2003 Conference USA Player of the Year and a finalist for the Golden Spikes Award, was drafted to help fill that void. Aubrey signed and began to tear up the minor leagues on his way to Cleveland. I had the opportunity to talk with Aubrey about his college career and his prospects for the future.

THE SPORTSNETWORK: You had a distinguished career as an amateur player. What do you feel was the highlight of it?

MICHAEL AUBREY: I would say being able to attend the College World Series (in 2001). It's just a great experience. First off choosing to go to college instead of playing professional ball out of high school was a great decision for me. Being able to get my education was important. On top of that, being able to compete with the elite college players and making it to the College World Series was a great experience.

THE SPORTSNETWORK: You also had the opportunity to play for Team USA...what was that like?

MICHAEL AUBREY: That was alot of fun. Being able to travel all over the country, to compete against some of the best players in college baseball, make great friendships and learn alot about baseball and how it's played in other countries was a great experience.

THE SPORTSNETWORK: In college you played first base, outfield, and pitched. Which position did you like the most? Do you miss pitching?

MICHAEL AUBREY: I'd probably say playing first is my favorite. I do miss pitching a little bit because you're somewhat in control of the game. It's pretty much in your hands and I like it that way. But I think I am in my place now at first base.

THE SPORTSNETWORK: Have you spoken to Cleveland about the possibility of getting into a game as a pitcher?

MICHAEL AUBREY: I certainly hope it doesn't have to come down that.

THE SPORTSNETWORK: As a first round pick (11th overall), how do you deal with the high expectations?

MICHAEL AUBREY: I really try not to think about it. I just try and go out there and play everyday. I've got some really good teammates so there's really no added pressure among teammates. They make you feel comfortable. I'm just another player trying to help my team win.

THE SPORTSNETWORK: Do you plan on going back to college to get your degree?

MICHAEL AUBREY: Well, when I get the opportunity I will. I'm not sure what the future holds as far as the off season goes. I may be playing ball or going to Fall League. There are so many options that Cleveland might want me to take. But the first opportunity I have to take a full semester, I'm probably going to do it.

THE SPORTSNETWORK: I've read that you're working on a degree in finance. What advice would you give to a team like the Indians (small market) as they try to compete with teams like New York and Boston (large markets)?

MICHAEL AUBREY: Well it's kind of an up-hill challenge and it seems somewhat unfair. But that's a challenge that Cleveland's willing to make. You just have to be smarter with decisions. You don't have that much room to play with. You have to find guys that you're willing to work with everyday for a cheaper price.

SPORTSNETWORK: Which part of your game do you take the most pride in?

MICHAEL AUBREY: I think more then anything it would be my attitude towards the game. I always try to stay on an even keel. Never get too high or too low. Good or bad. Just try to be as consistent as possible in all aspects of the game.

THE SPORTSNETWORK: Which aspect of your game do you think you can improve upon the most to help get you to the big leagues?

MICHAEL AUBREY: I think that I can improve upon all the aspects of my game. Defense. At the plate. It's a game of adjustments. There's always room for adjustments. Sometimes it may be in a specific game, sometimes it may be over a series or a season.

THE SPORTSNETWORK: In your first season you hit the ground running. You hit .348/.409/.556 (Batting Average/On-Base Percentage/Slugging Percentage). Were you surprised by that?

MICHAEL AUBREY: I just go out there and try to hit the ball hard and put the ball in play. At the time we [Lake County], were winning a lot of ball games. So that made it easy to do. Just go out there have fun and try to help the team win. I was fortunate enough to be able to do that.

THE SPORTSNETWORK: How difficult was it for you to adjust from playing ball in college to playing ball in the minor leagues?

MICHAEL AUBREY: It was a big change. You have to learn how your body is going to handle playing the game. Waking up and going to the field everyday. Playing the game everyday and being able to give 100 percent everyday. You have to learn your body. You have to learn what to do and what not to do as far as eating healthy and different things like that. It was a big change. But once you get used to it becomes alot easier to play everyday.

THE SPORTSNETWORK: What players did you watch or pay close attention to while you were growing up?

MICHAEL AUBREY: Chipper Jones was always my favorite player.

THE SPORTSNETWORK: Why Chipper Jones?

MICHAEL AUBREY: I don't know. They were always on TBS, always on TV. So I just grew attached to him when he came up as a younger player. I kind of stuck with him.

THE SPORTSNETWORK: Do you have a particular hitting philosophy that you follow while at the plate?

MICHAEL AUBREY: Not specifically. It can change so quickly. I think maybe the simplest thing is to say see the ball, hit the ball, don't try to do too much. Don't try to hit homeruns if you're not a homerun hitter. Just try to hit line drives. If you try to do more then you can do then you're going to be less successful.

THE SPORTSNETWORK: Has Cleveland asked you to change anything in your batting style? Like asking you to take more pitches per at-bat?

MICHAEL AUBREY: What Cleveland wants you to do (as a batter) is to earn a quality at-bat. Whether it be hitting the ball hard or taking a walk. The most important thing for a good quality at-bat is to hit the ball hard and put it into play.

THE SPORTSNETWORK: After getting off to a great start (.336/.438/.550) at Single-A Kinston you were promoted to Double-A Akron where you're hitting (.268/.367/.366). How tough has the adjustment been?

MICHAEL AUBREY: I don't know if I've been here long enough to tell you how tough an adjustment it's been. I'm still kind of new. The competition seems to definitely be improved. The guys seem to make adjustments more quickly. As far as at the plate you get fewer pitches to hit so you have to capitalize on the pitches you do get to hit.

THE SPORTSNETWORK: You were in spring training with the Indians major league squad this past spring training. What was that like?

MICHAEL AUBREY: That was alot of fun. Being able to see what those guys go through every day. To be able to sit back and learn. There wasn't alot of pressure on me since I wasn't actually trying to make the team. I was able to just take more information in and use it for my progression, for my future. And to see how major leaguers approach the game.

THE SPORTSNETWORK: Do you set goals for yourself at the beginning of the year?

MICHAEL AUBREY: I don't set statistical goals for myself. I think doing that is kind of stupid because so many things can affect that. I gauge myself by how I'm feeling at the plate, how I'm seeing the ball, and how many times I'm squaring the ball up.

THE SPORTSNETWORK: You were drafted by Cleveland after Jim Thome had left as a free agent. Does that place any added pressure on you?

MICHAEL AUBREY: No, not really. I think making it to the majors doesn't occur for awhile after the draft so it didn't cross my mind. When guys get to the major leagues and if they do make it to the majors it is so hard to tell.

THE SPORTSNETWORK: You were recently named to the futures roster. What was that like for you?

MICHAEL AUBREY: That was a total surprise. I wasn't expecting anything like that. I'm very honored. I'm just going to keep doing what I've been doing to get to this point.