2nd Basemen Bracket *Round 3* The Finals!?

Question

Chase Utley (NL - PHI) vs. Ian Kinsler (AL - TEX)

Choose the better overall 2nd basemen by three categories and thus overall

1.) Hitting

2.) Fielding

3.) More Clutch (Tie-breaker)

My Picks:

Cat. 1) Utley barely beats out Kinsler but Utleys power numbers are better. 12 more HR's, 11 more RBI's and what I think is the most important stat OPS which is On base %(OBP) and Slugging %(SLG) combined of .023 higher than Kinsler

Cat. 2) Utley averages a .982 fielding percentage and that includes 198 innings at firstbase and only one error in his career. Utley averages about 12 errors per year since his first full season. Kinsler is a career .974 fielder with an avg of 17 errors a year and is on pace to break that easily this year.

Cat. 3) Utley is a .293 hitter w/ RISP and .289 hitter with RISP w/ 2 outs where as Kinsler is a .322 hitter w/ RISP and .279 RISP w/ 2 outs. Kinsler wins this.

I am a little bias but the stats prove my man Chase Utley the winner....your thoughts?

Answer 1

1. Kinsler is a leadoff hitter, therefore his power numbers don't have to be great. Kinsler has a much higher BA, better OBP, and way more steals. I give offense to Kinsler.

2. Utley may be marginally better w/fielding pct. but Kinsler can cover more ground. But this may go to utley.

3. You said it yourself, Kinsler is more clutch.

Overall, Kinsler much better offensively and slightly worse defensively. Plus he is younger and has a better future. My choice is Ian Kinsler.

Answer 2

Utley-his team actually wins ball games. and hes doing it in Philadelphia a tougher market than Texas

Answer 3

It's a really hard decision. But I'd probably go with Kinsler.

Answer 4

Kinsler has been a little more consistent.

Answer 5

Utley for sure.  Hitting is about even overall, but Utley makes the great plays at 2nd.

Answer 6

I say Kinsler because he is the catalyst for the Rangers

He has a higher average and he is close to Utley in those stats from the lead off position

Answer 7

Kinsler

Answer 8

Utley.

Answer 9

Tough call, but I will say Utley is the better all-around player. He's not a serious MVP candidate for nothing.