Making the Grade: Ranking Second Basemen in the AL Central

Despite all the talent that resides in the AL Central, the division has seen limited production from the second base position.

The group includes perennial All-Star Ian Kinsler, but offensive output significantly declines at the position after the Tigers’ 2013 offseason acquisition. Jason Kipnis and Brian Dozier certainly have the ability to progress into stardom, as does the White Sox spring surprise Micah Johnson. The list is rounded out by aging veteran Omar Infante.

This piece highlights the second basemen who occupy the division and ranks them, from 1-5, in reverse order from most productive to least productive.

Next: No. 5

No. 5: Micah Johnson, Chicago White Sox

Mar 10, 2015; Surprise, AZ, USA; Chicago White Sox infielder Micah Johnson (7) at bat in the fourth during a spring training baseball game against the Kansas City Royals at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports

Second base was considered a position of weakness for the Chicago White Sox coming into the spring. It was expected to involve a month-long competition between Micah Johnson and Carlos Sanchez, with the winner earning the starting spot in manager Robin Ventura‘s lineup come Opening Day. 

But all of that was before Johnson went on a monstrous tear this spring, all but running away with the position with two weeks remaining in camp.

Johnson has tortured opposing pitching in March, hitting a whopping .467 over 12 games this spring. He’s collected 14 hits, three of the extra-base variety, and drove in six RBIs.

In short, the left-handed hitting second basemen has certainly impressed this spring. And he will be joining an Opening Day lineup with reigning AL Rookie of the Year Jose Abreu, offseason acquisition Melky Cabrera, and the division’s top shortstop Alexei Ramirez.

There is no reason not to believe Johnson can be a successful pro. For now, though, he is still unproven in the majors, as he has yet to make his big league debut.

Next: No. 4

No. 3: Brian Dozier, Minnesota Twins

Sep 27, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Minnesota Twins manager

(35) and second baseman Brian Dozier (2) celebrate after the game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Minnesota won 12-3. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Brian Dozier has been remarkably consistent since debuting with the Twins in 2012, but he has been consistently average.

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At 27 years old, Dozier is entering the prime of his career. He put together the best season of his young career last season, posting a .241 average while clubbing 23 home runs. He has posted two consecutive seasons with 33 doubles and saw his stolen bases increase from 14 in 2013 to 21 in 2014. Dozier became the first second basemen in Twins history and the 13th in Major League Baseball history to record 20-plus home runs and 20-plus stolen bases. He also scored the most runs in a season (112) in team history, a record held by Chuck Knoblauch (117) since 1997.

There is still a lot of untapped potential left in the Mississippi-native.

He has been scorching hot this spring, hitting .462 over nine games with two home runs. Dozier has also proven to be fairly durable during his career, turning in two consecutive seasons of 140-plus starts. Defensively, though, Dozier leaves a lot to be desired. He committed 15 errors last season after notching just six the previous season.

He certainly has the potential to become one of the most productive second basemen in the AL Central, but he is not there just yet. 

Next: No. 2

No. 2: Jason Kipnis, Cleveland Indians

Sep 7, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis (22) makes a play on a hit by Chicago White Sox third baseman

(not pictured) during the seventh inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

A one-time All-Star for the Indians, Jason Kipnis saw a serious decline in production last season. His batting average fell from .284 in 2013 to .240 in 2014. His stolen bases were down and his home run totals were slashed to about one-third his prior season’s total.

It was undoubtedly a down-year for a player the Tribe was counting on to help Michael Brantley carry the load in 2014, but most of that misfortune has been attributed to an early season oblique injury.

Before being sidelined this weekend with mid-back spasms, Kipnis told Jordan Bastian of MLB.com he finally feels like himself again. A sign of that, Kipnis has been driving the ball to the opposite field this spring.

When healthy, Kipnis is always a candidate to reach to 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases mark. Hitting between Michael Bourn, who has enjoyed an excellent spring, and Brantley, Kipnis could provide the perfect mix of on-base and power offense that Cleveland needs to compete.

Expect that to be the case this season.

Next: No. 1

No. 1: Ian Kinsler, Detroit Tigers

Mar 10, 2015; Clearwater, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers shortstop

(1) hits the ball into Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Miguel

(not pictured), allowing Detroit Tigers second baseman Ian Kinsler (not pictured) to score from third base during the third inning of a spring training baseball game at Bright House Field. Gonzalez would have to leave the game. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

All-Star second baseman Ian Kinsler was scratched from the Tigers’ lineup in mid-March due to left shoulder soreness, adding to the list of Detroit stars who have been sidelined this spring.

Fortunately for the Tigers, though, Kinsler has since returned to the lineup and picked up right where he left off on a fantastic Grapefruit League.

Entering Sunday, Kinsler was posting a slash line of .400/.483/.880 and hit two home runs. He is a career .273 hitter and stayed consistent to that number in 2014, hitting in front of All-Stars Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez.

Given all the power behind him, Kinsler will surely see his share of good pitches. He is a four-time All-Star who was among league leaders in 2014 in runs scored (100), hits (188) and doubles (40). He led AL second basemen in RBIs (92) and ranked second in home runs (17).

While age might suggest a looming decline in production, Kinsler is still the most productive second baseman in the division. He played in 161 games last season and can be reasonably expected to put up similar numbers in 2015 — all while combining with Jose Iglesias to produce one of the top defensive middle infield combos in baseball.

Next: Ranking the First Basemen