We are all Kipnisses

So for the outlook for the Indians at second base it is pretty clear, and that is Jason Kipnis will be manning 2nd base for the next several years. He was a August call-up and this is was a guy who for the first time in a while for the Indians, just got his promotion and 'got it' right from the word go.  Once he got his first MLB hit, he became a machine offensively, and a new catalyst for the lineup.  The phrase "We are all Kipnisses" became a trademark around the ballpark, and a pleasant jab at #6 for the Miami Heat.  Kipnis was the master of late game heroics, and performed best when the pressure was on, most notably against the Tigers when the Indians were still in contention. 

It wasn't all parades and fireworks for Kipnis though.  There is still a lot of room for growth from him.  He is still relatively new to the position as he was a converted Outfielder, so defensively I am looking forward to seeing him improve game-by-game and unfortunately we saw some durability concerns with him in his short rookie stint last season as he missed several games.  This guy is a middle infielder who plays with the same hustle and fearless attitude that Grady Sizemore plays with in center.  Luckily for Kipnis, there are no walls to run into at 2nd base.  However I am looking forward to seeing how many games we get out of him in his furst full season, and as always the key with a young guy will be how he adjusts to major league pitching.  The pitchers in the American League now have plenty of tape on him, and they will start to attack his weaknesses at the plate, so let's see how quickly he can adjust. 

His backup is most likely going to be Jason Donald.  Donald I have mentioned several times just because he can play every infield position, hits right-handed, and Manny Acta is familiar with him.  The intriguing option is the VERY recent signing of Christian Guzman.  I don't know how much Guzman has left, but he is a switch hitter, and having been a former SS for most of his career, 2nd is definitely a spot I expect to see him getting a lot of time if he makes the club.  My assumption is that the Indians will get him everyday ABs in the minors, and then call him up should there be an injury to A-Cab, Kipnis, or Donald. 

I am not going to post any prospects for 2nd base.  The player of the future is manning 2nd right now in Jason Kipnis so watch him and become a Kipniss.