Fansided

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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 10
Next
Nov 2, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis (22) reacts after scoring on a wild pitch against the Chicago Cubs in the fifth inning in game seven of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 2, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis (22) reacts after scoring on a wild pitch against the Chicago Cubs in the fifth inning in game seven of the 2016 World Series at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

7. Jason Kipnis, Cleveland Indians

Because he has played his entire career in Cleveland, Jason Kipnis is probably not as well-known on a national scale as he should be. With the Indians making a run to the World Series last year, and looking like one of the top contenders in the American League this year, Kipnis may begin shedding his underrated tag. His postseason numbers last year took a major hit from a 1-for-19 effort in the ALCS, but Kipnis was a major offensive force in the ALDS and World Series where he batted .310 with a .595 slugging percentage and three home runs.

As a hitter, Kipnis is a versatile hitter with a good eye. He hits pitchers from both sides well, and has slugged over .450 in three of the past four years. Some of the speed that he showed with back-to-back 30-steal seasons in 2012 and 2013 has gone, but Kipnis still knows the right times to swipe a bag and is rarely thrown out. He also has over 40 doubles in each of the past two years, and topped 20 home runs for the first time in 2016.

Best of all (and perhaps most important to the Indians), Kipnis is locked into a very team-friendly contract. He is under contract for four more years and a maximum of $54 million, which makes him a bargain by today’s standards. With more well-deserved recognition coming his way, Kipnis should continue adding to his two All-Star nods.

Home/MLB