Spring Training Preview: Second Base

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We all know that Ian Kinsler is the second baseman for the Texas Rangers, right? We also know that Kinsler played injury free for the first time in his professional career in 2011. He got into 155 games in 2011, his previous high was 144 in 2009. Ian is going to be a part of that SS/2B tandem that the Rangers are going to have for a very long time, I believe. I think it is very important that the Rangers get Ian and Elvis locked down for many years. They, in my opinion, will be the reason the Rangers are going to be in the playoffs year after year after year. Not just them, of course, but they will be one of the main reasons. Ian has good offensive numbers and proved to be a great lead off hitter in the 2012 season. He walked 89 times while only striking out 71 times. He hit 32 home runs (career high) and he scored 121 runs (also a career high). He only committed 11 errors (2nd lowest in his career) and his fielding percentage was .984 (also second best in his career). Ian gets to a lot of balls and he and Elvis look so smooth turning double plays. Kinsler, if he played for the Yankees or Red Sox, would be considered by ESPN to be the best second baseman in all of baseball. And probably of all time if he played for the Yankees. But I digress. Ian Kinsler and Elvis Andrus have a chance to go down in history as the best ss/2b combo of all time. I know that I am projecting a whole lot into this, but we all know that they can be that good. We have all watched them play.

Backing up Kinsler, of course, is Michael Young (you will probably see his name on all the infield positions). Michael played some second base last season for the first time in years, and he did a good job there. Michael got into 14 games at second base, and his fielding percentage was 1.000. I know that is a short sample, but I trust Michael to get the job done, and if Kinsler got hurt I would be fine with Young playing there every day. We all know that kind of season that Michael had batting in 2011, he was even considered for the league MVP last season, but once again, he was not a Yankee or Red Sox so he was not seriously considered.

      The Rangers also have Alberto Gonzalez on the non-roster invitee list. Alberto is a career .242 hitter in limited experience (839 at bats). Last season he got into 102 games for the Padres. Also, they have Luis Hernandez, who in his career has gotten into 120 games and has 265 at bats. Most recently he was with the Mets. But, we all know that for now, Kinsler is the man. Just wanted you all to be aware of who you will be seeing at spring training starting next week. 

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