Former Reno prep star Aguila finally flashing signs of success

Coming off two forgettable seasons, former Reno prep star Chris Aguila has regained his groove this year for Triple-A New Orleans.

The 32-year-old outfielder -- who tied a national high school single-season home run record with 29 in 39 games for McQueen High School in 1997 -- is batting .294 and leads the Zephyrs in homers (18) and RBIs (63).

"He's been an integral part of our lineup. He's had some big hits and some big homers for us," New Orleans manager Greg Norton said. "In New Orleans, as hot and humid as it is and having five people in the stands, you need to have a guy with energy, and he seems to bring that."

Besides baseball, Aguila focuses most of his energy on his wife, Kristina, and their 2-year-old daughter, Maaeva.

"It's the best thing that ever happened to me," Aguila said of being a father for the first time.

Despite collecting a season-high four hits to continue his resurgence in Sunday's 17-9 win over the 51s at Cashman Field, Aguila was more excited about spending time with his family, which flew in from Reno for the four-game series in Las Vegas.

"Most importantly, I got to see my wife and daughter," he said. "I'm happy about that."

Aguila, a former third-round draft pick of the Marlins who played parts of four major league seasons for Florida (2004 to 2006) and the New York Mets (2008), spent a lost year in Japan in 2009, when he was banished to the minors early in the season after a slow start.

He started last year in Las Vegas, where he lived with his wife and daughter. But after batting .275 with four homers and 21 RBIs in 44 games, he was traded June 25 by the Toronto Blue Jays to the Philadelphia Phillies for future considerations.

"It was a surprise to me because I'd never been traded before," the 15-year veteran said. "It was a little hard on me getting traded. I had to be away from my wife and daughter, and I had to go to a new organization in the middle of the season."

After hitting only .199 with three homers and 11 RBIs in 48 games for Triple-A Lehigh Valley, Aguila was released Aug. 21. He returned to the Marlins organization Aug. 27 and finished the year there, batting .269 in 10 games before re-signing with them this season.

"He came into spring training a different player from what we saw last year," Norton said. "He just looked more athletic. He was running real well, his swing looked really nice and his defense has been outstanding."

Aguila, who went 0-for-3 in Monday's 12-4 loss to the 51s, compiled a career year for New Orleans in 2008, when it was the Mets' affiliate. He hit .295 and set career highs in homers (29) and RBIs (73) in 116 games to earn a promotion to New York, where he appeared in eight games for the Mets.

He hasn't been back to the big leagues since and isn't on the Marlins' 40-man roster. But Aguila continues to keep the faith.

n NOTE -- 51s infielder Kevin Howard was demoted to Double-A New Hampshire to make room for outfielder Travis Snider, who played his first game for Las Vegas since getting sent down from Toronto on Friday when former 51s third baseman Brett Lawrie was called up.

Contact reporter Todd Dewey at tdewey@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0354.