MLB News: Jason Kipnis named American League Player of the Month for June

Jason Kipnis has been on fire for about six weeks. After being awarded his second player of the week honor on Monday, Major League Baseball announced the Tribe second baseman had indeed been the top performer for the entire month-

“Kipnis, who claimed two A.L. Player of the Week awards during the month, batted .419 (39-for-93) with 12 doubles, one triple, four home runs, 25 RBI, 17 runs scored and 30 walks in 27 games to earn his first career monthly honor. He is the first member of the Tribe to claim the league’s Player of the Month Award since Shin-Soo Choo was tabbed in September 2008. Among A.L. leaders with a minimum of 81 plate appearances during the month, the 26-year-old finished first in batting average and on-base percentage (.517); tied for first in hits; ranked second in doubles, RBI, slugging percentage (.699) and extra-base hits (17); tied for second in walks; and was tied for 11th in runs scored. Among Major League leaders, his on-base percentage ranked first; his batting average was second; and his slugging percentage was third overall. In addition, the Illinois native reached base safely in each of his 27 games played in June as he continues an on-base string of 33 straight contests dating back to May 26th. It is the longest such streak for the Indians since Victor Martinez reached base safely in 45 consecutive games split over the 2005-06 seasons.”

As has been noted here, Jason Kipnis is playing at an all-star level, but is no where near the top of fan balloting. If Kipnis is to be rewarded with an all-star selection, it will likely have to come from Jim Leyland who is coaching the AL squad this season.

Every team has to have an all-star, and Kipnis is the player most deserving on the Indians. He could be the odd man out though, as Robinson Cano will certainly be voted as the starter but Dustin Pedroia, Howie Kendrick and Ben Zobrist all could lay claim to a back-up second base slot. Justin Masterson (10-6, 3.48 ERA) could easily be selected from the Tribe, meaning Kipnis is on the outside looking in.

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