Ian Kinsler, 2B, Texas Rangers
Kinsler is the one who made the Rangers feel better about letting Alfonso Soriano go, but has he made anyone forget about Soriano yet?
Not quite yet, but he may be on his way. Last year, Kinsler belted 20 home runs in 130 games. He also stole 23 bases and scored 96 runs, making Kinsler the seventh player in Rangers history to break the 20-20 mark. Only his batting average took a dip from the previous year, dropping 23 points to .263.
Kinsler could be ready to improve his average in 2008. The Rangers plan put Kinsler at the top of the lineup and it’s easy to see why. Kinsler spent about two-thirds of his ABs batting leadoff or in the two hole. The other third was spent in the bottom half of the lineup.
The numbers are drastically different. Kinsler batted. 299 at the top two spots, but only .159 in the bottom half. The Rangers plan to lock up Kinsler with a five-year deal, and they don’t plan to spend big money on a No. 9 hitter.
Bottom line: This will be the breakout year for the second baseman from Tuscon, Arizona.
Projection: 112 R, 25 HR, 78 RBI, 32 SB, .288 AVG
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