Article: AL Central Position Rankings - Second Base

[Seth Stohs]

The voting for preseason AL Central catcherand first basemenwill continue for another day, but let's get the discussion going on "Which AL Central Second Baseman will be the best in 2012?" Vote now and comment your rankings.

 

THE CANDIDATES (2011 stats)

Minnesota Twins - Alexi Casilla - .260/.322/.368 (.691) with 21-2B, 3-3B, 2-HR, 21 RBI

 

Chicago White Sox - Gordon Beckham - .230/.296/.337 (.633) with 23-2B, 0-3B, 10-HR, 44 RBI

 

Cleveland Indians - Jason Kipnis MLB - .272/.333/.507 (.841) with 9-2B, 1-3B, 7-HR, 19 RBI (MILB - .280/.362/.484 (.846) with 16-2B, 9-3B, 12-HR, 55 RBI)

 

Detroit Tigers - Brandon Inge - .197/.265/.283 (.548) with 10-2B, 2-3B, 3-HR, 23 RBI

[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]

Kansas City Royals - Johnny Giavotella - .247/.273/.376 (.649) with 9-2B, 4-3B, 2-HR, 21 RBI (MILB - .338/.390/.481 (.871) with 34-2B, 2-3B, 9-HR, 72 RBI)

 

SUMMARY

 

Alexi Casilla was so bad in April of 2011 that his numbers don't show that he was pretty solid after May. Of course, he also missed the last two months of the 2011 season because of a hamstring injury. He is still just 27 years old.

 

Gordon Beckham was so bad in 2011 that his sophomore slump didn't look bad at all. He did play in a career-high 150 games as Ozzie Guillen continued to stand by him. He will be 25 years old throughout the season.

 

35-year-old Brandon Inge was so bad in 2011 that he was designated for assignment and no one claimed him or his contract. He accepted going to AAA and when he came back, he accepted a bench role. In 2012, he will be given an opportunity to play 2B since Miguel Cabrera is moving to 3B.

 

The .846 OPS that Kipnis put up in AAA-Columbus was the lowest he had at any minor league stop since Cleveland made him their 2nd round pick in 2009. He debuted with the Indians and showed a lot of power. He will turn 25 right before the season begins.

 

Giavotella was the Royals 2nd round pick in 2008. He struggled in the lower levels, but has lit up AA in 2010 and AAA in 2011. He debuted with the Royals late last year and played 46 games. Following the season, he had hip surgery. He is already playing in Royals spring training.

 

There is the information, now it is time to vote. Who will be the best second baseman in the AL Central in 2012?

 

My choice?

 

Download attachment: JasonKipnis.jpg

 

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