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The comment initially might seem perplexing, considering that Aguila leads this season's Zephyrs lineup with 16 home runs and 35 RBIs. Yet, after speaking with the powerhouse left fielder, it becomes obvious that his modesty ─ not embarrassment ─ is the source of his imploration.

"I look at myself as a good team player, a good guy to have in the clubhouse," Aguila says. "As far as performing on the field, I don't think there's a particular thing I think I'm just great at, so I just want to try and go out there day in and day out and help the team win."

The Redwood City, Calif. native deserves more credit than he gives himself. At 29 years old, the 5-foot-11, 200-pound right-handed Aguila serves as one of the most seasoned and successful members of the New Orleans squad, and one of the few players with Major League experience.

"He's been here since Day 1 [this year] and he's been able to contribute a pretty solid presence in the lineup," hitting coach Jack Voigt says. "[Aguila has] played really good defense, he's thrown a number of runners out and he's been a solid player that's got Major League time. You can see when he plays why he has played in the big leagues."

Coming out of the 1997 MLB draft as a third round pick of the Florida Marlins, Aguila spent part of three years in the Majors, an experience he says he is very grateful for. From 2004 to 2006, he amassed a .234 overall batting average with 51 hits, 16 RBIs and 26 runs scored.

Now a 12-year veteran in professional play, Aguila, who is of Filipino and Samoan descent, applies the lessons he learned playing with the Marlins to dominate with his current club.

"I learned that [in baseball,] things are just out of your hands," he said. "My best advice is to just leave it in God's hands and have faith in yourself as a player. [Playing with the Marlins,] I had to realize that all you can do is prepare yourself and work as hard as you can."

These words of wisdom have obviously worked well for Aguila, as the left fielder was recently named the Pacific Coast League's Hitter of the Week for the week ending June 1. Batting an impressive .500 (12-for-24) and hitting five home runs in three days, including in back-to-back games, Aguila became the first Zephyr to be named the PCL's Hitter of the Week since outfielder Chip Ambres last June.

"He wasn't really doing anything different [during those games] except getting ready to hit a little sooner," Voigt said. "He is a player who is always able to make corrections and get right back to where he needs to be. Those minor adjustments that he made really worked for him this past week."

In addition to his workmanlike approach, Aguila strives to establish himself as a true team player on and off the field.

"He's very much routine-oriented," Voigt noted. "He knows what he needs to do, and he knows how to get it done. If he's having trouble, he asks for help and he takes suggestions very well. [At the same time,] he's also a very personable guy, he's team-oriented, he wants to win, he's competitive and he's serious about his job."

Aguila's strict adherence to team loyalty likely stems from his strong family background and values.

Whether he is discussing his first baseball memories of playing with his brother and grandfather at the age of four or spending his time away from baseball with his wife, Aguila always makes a point of placing his family at the forefront of the conversation.

Perhaps his most intriguing family hobby, Polynesian fire knife dancing, is also the one he holds dearest.

"[Polynesian fire knife dancing is] something that I got involved in when I was in fifth grade," he said. "I started with my family ─ my mom, my dad, and my brother ─ and continued it through high school. Being close to my culture and where I come from is very important to me."

After discussing his family, Aguila is not shy about what he hopes to accomplish in the next few years. True to his humble nature, however, he offered an optimistic yet practical response.

"I am hoping to just finish healthy and to always work hard and prepare myself for anything," Aguila said. "[I really want] to try and go out and improve every day, to continue to work hard and live in the moment. And I'll just take it one day at a time from there."