#10. Jason Kipnis, Cleveland Indians
2015 WAR: 4.6
2014 WAR: 0.7
WAR Improvement: 3.9
Chalk up Jason Kipnis as another player who’s going to split the difference between his previous two seasons, though his defensive improvements for the Cleveland Indians should push him closer to his 2015 WAR.
Given his declining power numbers and limited speed, Kipnis’ offensive value stems largely from his ability to get on base. That’s why it’s particularly troubling that he declined so significantly during the second half of the last campaign, even if his fiery first-half numbers were never going to be sustainable.
The second baseman’s poor performance in 2014 was a fluke. He spent the year battling minor injuries, and he also happened to get extraordinarily unlucky. There’s no reason to suspect another year with a .288 BABIP, seeing as his career average stands at .320.
Then again, 2015’s BABIP was also atypical — this time in a positive way. Replicating a mark of .356 will prove impossible, regardless of whether he keeps making solid contact and blasting line drives past the gloves of opposing infielders.