Jason Kipnis

JEWISH BASEBALL NEWS — In his first full season in “AAA” ball, Cleveland Indians prospect Jason Kipnis has all the markings of a star.

Player of the Week winner? Yep, just last week in fact.

All-Star selection? You bet. He’s the starting second baseman on the “AAA” International League squad, which will line up against the “AAA” Pacific Coast League on July 13.

Chosen to play in the prestigious All-Star Futures Game? Check. He’s one of 25 players on the U.S. squad, which will play against a ‘World’ team on July 10.

Not surprisingly, Indians fans, rotisserie baseball enthusiasts, and sports writers alike have been clamoring for the 24-year-old suburban Chicago native to be called up, stat. Just today (7/6/2011), Cleveland Plain Dealer columnist Terry Pluto said “it’s time for the Indians to once again change their infield,” noting that the Tribe could summon Kipnis “very, very soon.”

Just how well is he playing these days? The fleet-footed Kipnis leads the International League in triples (9) runs (60), ranks 2nd in OPS (.906), is 3rd in slugging percentage (.520) and total bases (155), in 6th in OBP (.386) and RBIs (50/tied), and is 8th-highest in walks (40).

He’s no slouch in HRs, with 11 dingers so far, including a two-HR game on 6/28/2011. And check out this stat: Kipnis has stolen 11 bases — and not been caught once.

Exactly when will he get the call? Terry Pluto, the columnist, says the Indians can use next week’s All-Star break to “decide if it’s time to turn second base over to JasonKipnis.”

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