Detroit Tigers: Top 10 Second Basemen in franchise history

Ian Kinsler

Detroit Tigers: 2013-2017

The modern era has been good for the Tigers. Virtually every starting second baseman since Easley is on this list, with very few exceptions.

Ian Kinsler carried the load from 2013 until 2017 and finds himself among the top five Tiger second basemen of all time.

The Tigers acquired Kinsler from the Texas Rangers in what was one of the biggest blockbuster trades in team history. The Tigers traded fan favorite first baseman Prince Fielder and his gargantuan contract in exchange for Kinsler.

For a team going through a lot of turnover and seeing a lot of familiar faces struggle or disappear, Kinsler was a nice safety net.

Kinsler spent four seasons in the Motor City before being traded away in the rebuilding offseason of 2017. However, he accomplished enough in four seasons to merit a top-five selection amongst the Tigers all-time second baseman.

Kinsler hit .275 with 78 home runs, 300 RBI, and 53 stolen bases as a Tiger. He posted a 107 OPS+ and had a 19.9 bWAR. Although he only made one All-Star game while in Detroit, he did win the Gold Glove Award in 2016. He also led the league in plate appearances and at-bats in 2014.

Kinsler’s WAR totals in his four years in Detroit: 5.7, 6.0, 6.1, and 2.1.

Kinsler was a consistent, steadying presence on the Tigers. For a team going through a lot of turnover and seeing a lot of familiar faces struggle or disappear, Kinsler was a nice safety net. He struggled in his final year in Detroit, but he could always be counted on to play solid defense and put up double-digit home runs and steals.

Kinsler very nearly was ranked the fourth best second baseman in team history, but he narrowly lost out to our next player: