SI names Indians Jason Kipnis AL MVP leader
Sports Illustrated named Cleveland Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis as its AL MVP leader in its awards watch post.
Kipnis has been on a tear recently, having hit safetly in 19 straight games. Kipnis also broke the record for the longest hitting streak at Progressive Field, collecting a hit in 28 straight games at home.
On the season the Indians second baseman is hitting .354 with a .431 OBP and .521 SLG. Kipnis has 99 hits in 280 plate apperances, 24 2B, 3 3B, 5 HR and 31 RBI. Kipnis leads the American League in batting average, and is second only to Miguel Cabrera in on-base percentage.
Sports Illustrated's Cliff Corcoran wrote, while "Kipnis doesn't have the best raw batting line in the league, but when you factor in the standard for offense at his position and his outstanding play in the field, he rises to the top."
Earlier this year, Sports Illustrated picked the Indians to win the World Series. The last time the magazine picked the Indians to win it all was 1987, but the Indians finished with a league-high 101 losses.
Kipnis leads the AL in Wins Above Replacement (WAR), and is projected to finish the season as a 7 WAR player. Corey Kluber posted a 7.2 WAR in his Cy Young season last year.
Kipnis heads into the Indians' weekend series with the Baltimore Orioles looking to extend his hitting streak.
