Former Chicago Cub and Cleveland Indians/Guardians Jason Kipnis has annoounced his retirement in a twitter post.
Kipnis’ last appearance in the majors came during the 2020 COVID-shortened season.
The 35-year-old was drafted by Cleveland in 2009, making his MLB Debut just two seasons later as he rose through the minor league ranks as a highly regarded prospect in baseball. He earned a Top-100 prospect ranking prior to his debut in 2011. Where he slashed .272/.333/.507 with seven home runs in an impressive 36 game rookie stint. That impressive stint was enough for him to earn the starting job at second base in Cleveland the following year.
Kipnis didn’t relinquish his starting spot for multiple years. The 2013 campaign would see the second baseman hit .284/.366/.452 with 17 home runs, earning a trip to the mid-summer classic, better known as the MLB All-Star Game. He finished 11th in MVP voting before earning a six-year,$52.5MM extension in April of 2014. A dissapointing followed before Jason Kipnis bounced back with style, hitting .303/.372/.451 and making his second trip to the All Star game. That season he break the Cleveland record for individual hits in May, picking up 51 in a month which saw him hit .429/.511/.706.
He would eventually help his team reach the World Series in 2016, where they fell to the Cubs. That’d be the last above-average offensive campaign for Kipnis, as his wRC+ would sit at just 86 between 2017-19, a period in which Kipnis would slash .236/.305/.403. Which led to the Guardians front office declining his team option.
At the age of 33, Kipnis would not find much success in free agency, resulting in a minor league deal that he landed with the Cubs. He’d go on to crack their roster and hit .237/.341/.404 over a 44-game stretch during that 60-game season. Kipnis landed a minor league deal with the Atlanta Braves in 2021. However, he didn’t crack their roster and was realeased by season’s end.
Towards the tail end of his career, Jason Kipnis would see some time in the outfield, logging innings in centerfield during the 2017 and 2018 seasons. All in all, Kipnis finishes his career with a batting line .260/.333/.416 with 126 home runs, 1,147 hits and 136 stolen bases. That 1,000 hit came in true style, as Kipnis launched a walk-off grand slam against the White Sox in September, 2018.
Fantom Sports congratulates Kipnis on a terrific playing career, and wishes him all the best in the next part of life.
Read the latest sports news via Fantom Sports Industries. Follow us on Twitter via @Fantom_sports. Like us on Facebook Fantom Sports Industries. Subscribe to our YouTube channel via Fantom Sports. Subscribe to our Newsletter! Shop Fantom Sports Industries Merch.
Invest in your favorite athletes like stocks with “Prediction Strike!” Use code FANTOM when you sign up.