Knuckle Curve » ian kinsler

Jacoby Ellsbury Injury Update – Shoulder

Stephen Kersey — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 05:30:51 +0000

Jacoby Ellsbury, the speedy center fielder for the Boston Red Sox, injured his shoulder as the Boston Red Sox lost on Sunday to the Texas Rangers by a final count of 6-3. Ellsbury suffered the injury by making a diving catch in the fourth inning to rob Ian Kinsler.

Despite suffering the injury, Ellsbury stayed in the game. It wasn’t until the end of the fifth inning that Ellsbury went out. Trainers for the Red Sox are calling his injury a shoulder strain.

For the season, Ellsbury is hitting .302 with one homer and 16 RBIs. Arguably most importantly, Ellsbury has swiped 23 steals this season. Entering his second complete season in the big leagues, he has emerged as a quality outfielder for Boston.

After the game, Ellsbury spoke as if he didn’t believe the injury is serious. With the Red Sox having an off day on Monday, there’s a chance that he’ll give it a go on Tuesday.

Post from: Knuckle Curve

Ian Kinsler Injury Update – Sports Hernia

Stephen Kersey — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 05:56:13 +0000

Ian Kinsler, who may have been the American League favorite in the MVP race, suffered a sports hernia and he may miss the rest of the season. Currently, Kinsler and the Texas Rangers are figuring out if he needs surgery. If he does need surgery, Kinsler is definitely out for the remaining games of the regular season.

Kinsler has been great this season. The 26-year-old second baseman is hitting .319 with 18 homers, 71 RBIs, 102 runs and has an on-base percentage of .375. If Kinsler’s season is indeed over, his chances to win the AL MVP likely end with his season.

Ironically enough, Josh Hamilton may leapfrog Kinsler and become the AL MVP. Hamilton is Kinsler’s teammate on the Rangers and has had an amazing season in his own right.

Although this was a bad break for Kinsler, expect him to remain one of the bright stars in the American League for a long time to come.

Photo: Newscom

Post from: Knuckle Curve

Midseason Baseball Awards 2008 – MLB Awards

Stephen Kersey — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 06:14:39 +0000

AL MVP – Josh Hamilton, Texas Rangers
Ian Kinsler and Milton Bradley are playing very well for the Rangers. However, I believe that it is Hamilton who is the backbone of that team’s lineup. Take him away and the Rangers wouldn’t be nearly as deadly.

NL MVP – Lance Berkman, Houston Astros
Sure, the Astros are a bad team and chances are slim that they will make the playoffs. That said, Berkman is having a career year and is the best hitter in the NL to date this season.

AL Cy Young – Cliff Lee, Cleveland Indians
Mariano Rivera might be having his best season in his career but Lee has been amazing. His 12-2 record is very impressive, as is his 2.31 ERA. Lee was nothing special until this year but now the Cleveland ace is making a name for himself.

NL Cy Young – Edinson Volquez, Cincinnati Reds
Josh Hamilton is playing amazing baseball for the Texas Rangers, however the Reds have to be happy with their offseason move. The Reds got Volquez from the Rangers and he has consistently been the best pitcher in the NL this season.

AL Rookie of the Year – Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay Rays
One day soon, Evan Longoria might become more famous than Eva Longoria. He’s the clear cut rookie of the year in the AL — and it’s not even close. He has exceeded all the hype he had coming into the season.

NL Rookie of the Year – Geovany Soto, Chicago Cubs
A lot of players on the Cubs are getting notoriety this season but one can argue that Soto is the most valuable player on Chicago’s roster. He has stepped in as a rookie and is playing great baseball.

Is Geovany Soto the best player on the Cubs?

Photo: Newscom

Post from: Knuckle Curve

Hottest Hitters in Baseball – July Edition

Stephen Kersey — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 05:27:34 +0000

C Russel Martin – Martin playing his best ball of the season.
1B Ryan Howard – Low OBP but producing when he gets contact.
2B Ian Kinsler – Kinsler is the spark of the baseball’s best lineup.
SS Hanley Ramirez – Best shortstop (player?) in the game.
3B Alex Rodriguez – A-Rod is making headlines everywhere.
OF JD Drew – Drew finally living up to the hype.
OF Jermaine Dye – Playing great for White Sox.
OF Grady Sizemore – On pace for career best season.

Is Hanley Ramirez the best player in baseball?

Photo: Newscom

Post from: Knuckle Curve

Hottest Hitting Second Basemen in 2008

Stephen Kersey — Mon, 05 May 2008 08:16:48 +0000

Chase Utley, Philadelphia Phillies
Chase Utley isn’t only the hottest hitting second baseman, he’s the hottest hitting player in the major leagues – period. He’s hitting .357 with 13 homers, 26 RBIs and 28 runs scored. On top of that, he has a .432 on-base percentage. The 29-year-old has arguably been the best player in baseball in 2008.

Ian Kinsler, Texas Rangers
Ian Kinsler has really been hitting the ball well as of late. For the season, he has two homers, 14 RBIs, 21 runs scored and a batting average of .288. The 25-year-old is quickly becoming one of the better players at his position in the American League.

Chone Figgins, Los Angeles Angels
Although he hasn’t hit a homer or a triple yet this season, the Angels’ second baseman is hitting the ball well. Chone Figgins is hitting .306 with nine RBIs, 18 runs scored and 11 stolen bases.

Dan Uggla, Florida Marlins
Earlier in the 2008 season, Dan Uggla was struggling so much that some in Florida were wondering whether he would hold onto his starting job. Since then, however, Uggla has turned it around. On the season, he’s hitting .267 with seven homers, 19 RBIs and 18 runs.

Photo: Newscom

Post from: Knuckle Curve