Ian Kinsler
From BR Bullpen
Ian Michael Kinsler
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 0", Weight 200 lbs.
- School Central Arizona College, University of Missouri, Arizona State University
- High School Canyon del Oro High School
- Debut April 3, 2006
- Born June 22, 1982 in Tucson, AZ USA
[edit] Biographical Information
Out of high school, Ian Kinsler was picked in the 29th round of the 2000 amateur draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks but did not sign. In 2002, he hit .230/.246/.262 for Arizona State University. Transferring to Missouri, he batted .335/.416/.536 with 16 steals in 17 tries and was picked by the Texas Rangers in the 17th round of the 2003 amateur draft. Signing with the Rangers, Kinsler hit .277/.352/.410 for the Spokane Indians as the starting shortstop. In 2004, Ian had a huge year and was named the Rangers' Minor League Player of the Year. He hit .401/.465/.687 in 60 games for the Clinton Lumber Kings and .300/.400/.480 in 71 outings for the Frisco RoughRiders. Overall, he had 51 doubles, 20 homers, 103 runs, 99 RBI and 23 steals. He was 7th in the minor leagues in average (.345) and tied with Josh Kroeger for the most doubles. He was named to the Midwest League team at shortstop. Baseball America rated him the 11th-best prospect in the minors, the #8 prospect in the MWL and the #9 prospect in the Texas League.
In 2005, the 22/23-year old produced at a .274/.348/.464 rate for the Oklahoma RedHawks, swiping 12 in 14 tries, driving in 94, homering 23 times and scoring 102 runs in 131 games while moving to second base. He led the Pacific Coast League in putouts (276), assists (413), errors (20) and double plays (112) at second base, but lost out the All-Star spot to league MVP Andy Green.
Kinsler hit .256/.293/.487 in 10 games for Oklahoma in 2006, spending most of the year with the 2006 Rangers and batting a fine .308/.371/.480 as one of the AL's top rookies through August 16. He slipped a bit after that but finished at .286/.347/.454, pretty good for a second baseman in the 2006 AL. Kinsler batted .263/.355/.441 for the 2007 Rangers with 20 home runs and 23 steals (in 25 tries). He had a 109 OPS+.
Ian improved in 2008, hitting .319/.375/.517 with 41 doubles, 18 home runs, 102 runs and 26 stolen bases (he was only caught twice). He was 4th in the 2008 AL in average, only .009 behind Joe Mauer, the leader. He was 8th in OPS, tied Michael Young for 8th in runs, was 10th in steals, 9th in OPS+ and 11th in doubles. He made his first All-Star squad, one of three Jewish players in the 2008 All-Star Game alongside Kevin Youkilis and Ryan Braun. In the game, he pinch-ran for Joe Mauer in the second inning and stole second. He stayed in the game at second, replacing Dustin Pedroia, and would go 1 for 5.
Early in 2009, Kinsler had a historic day at the plate. On April 15, he was 6 for 6 and hit for the cycle in a 19-6 rout of the Orioles. This was the first time a player had gone 6-for-6 and hit for the cycle in a 9-inning game since Farmer Weaver in 1890.
Sources include 2004-2006 Baseball Almanacs
[edit] Notable Achievements
- AL All-Star (2008)
- 20-Home Run Seasons: 1 (2007)
- 100 Runs Scored Seasons: 1 (2008)
