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MLB 2017: Top ten second basemen

By Joshua Sadlock

Jul 5, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) on deck agains the Seattle Mariners in the eighth inning at Minute Maid Park. Astros won 5 to 2. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 5, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) on deck agains the Seattle Mariners in the eighth inning at Minute Maid Park. Astros won 5 to 2. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 30, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Detroit Tigers second baseman Ian Kinsler (3) prepares for an at bat against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 30, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Detroit Tigers second baseman Ian Kinsler (3) prepares for an at bat against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Ian Kinsler, Detroit Tigers

If (or when) Major League Baseball goes back and looks into whether or not the baseballs really were wound too tightly in 2016, they might want to keep an eye on Ian Kinsler’s 28 bombs. It took the four-time All-Star over 1,300 at-bats to hit 28 balls out of the yard between 2014 and 2015, but he was able to match that total in 679 at-bats last year while slugging close to .500.

Juiced baseballs or not, Kinsler remains a top second baseman in the league even as he enters his age-35 season. He won his first Gold Glove in 2016, a much-deserved honor for one of the best glovemen in baseball over the past decade. Kinsler is one of just five second basemen in baseball history with over 200 home runs and 200 steals. He is bordering on the fringes of the Hall of Fame conversation, and could propel his name higher with a few more seasons like 2016.

Kinsler has the potential to become a free agent after this season. The Tigers hold a club option for $12 million for the 2018 season. It might not come as a surprise to see his name pop up in trade talks later this summer if the Tigers slide out of playoff contention early in the season or start slowly. He would have to waive his no-trade clause, and reportedly wants an extension as a part of any move.

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