Ian Kinsler vs Michael Young: Career Stats Comparison
Michael Young has the better career line of the two, leading 10 of the 14 scored categories on this page (1 further counting total is shown but not scored). Ian Kinsler played 2006–2019 as a hitter; Michael Young played 2000–2013 as a hitter.
- AVG (Batting Average):
- Hits divided by at bats. .300 is the traditional mark of an excellent hitter.
- HR (Home Runs):
- Hits on which the batter circled the bases and scored, almost always by clearing the outfield fence.
- RBI (Runs Batted In):
- Runs that scored as a direct result of a batter's plate appearance.
- OPS (On-Base Plus Slugging):
- On-base percentage plus slugging percentage, the quickest single summary of offensive value. .900 or better is star-level.
Data updated
Ian Kinsler (2006–2019) and Michael Young (2000–2013) — both broke in during the 2000s, which makes the head-to-head feel like a contemporaries' debate. Ian Kinsler finished with 1,999 hits and 257 home runs; Michael Young finished with 2,375 hits and 185 home runs. Below is the full career table, PIV adjustment, peak seasons, and a verdict.
Quick answer
- Who hit more home runs? Ian Kinsler, with 257 to Michael Young's 185.
- Who had the higher OPS? Michael Young, with .787 to Ian Kinsler's .777.
- Who had the higher batting average? Michael Young, with .300 to Ian Kinsler's .269.
- Who had more hits? Michael Young, with 2,375 to Ian Kinsler's 1,999.
- Who drove in more runs? Michael Young, with 1,030 to Ian Kinsler's 909.
- Who has the higher career PIV? Ian Kinsler, with 9,201 career PIV to Michael Young's 9,102.
- Who won more championships? Ian Kinsler, with 1 World Series title to Michael Young's 0.
Ian Kinsler
Michael Young
Career Stats Side-by-Side
Every cell below is a career total or career rate for Ian Kinsler and Michael Young. Cells highlighted in green mark the category leader. 14 of the 15 lines below are scored; the other one is a counting total on which fewer is not an achievement, so no one is awarded it. Counting stats reward longevity, and strikeouts are left unmarked because a longer career accumulates more of them. Rate stats are not era-adjusted, so read them against the run environment each player worked in, or use the PIV card below, which is adjusted.
| Statistic | Ian Kinsler | Michael Young |
|---|---|---|
| Games | 1,888 | Leads: 1,970 |
| At-Bats | 7,423 | Leads: 7,918 |
| Runs | Leads: 1,243 | 1,137 |
| Hits | 1,999 | Leads: 2,375 |
| Doubles | 416 | Leads: 441 |
| Triples | 41 | Leads: 60 |
| Home Runs | Leads: 257 | 185 |
| RBI | 909 | Leads: 1,030 |
| Walks | Leads: 693 | 575 |
| Strikeouts not scored | 1,046 | 1,235 |
| Stolen Bases | Leads: 243 | 90 |
| Batting Avg | .269 | Leads: .300 |
| On-Base % | .337 | Leads: .346 |
| Slugging % | .440 | Leads: .441 |
| OPS | .777 | Leads: .787 |
PIV Comparison through 2025
By PIV (Player Impact Value), Ian Kinsler edges Michael Young 9,201 to 9,102 — driven by per-season impact — 613 PIV per season to 607 — rather than by longevity, since Ian Kinsler played 15 seasons to Michael Young's 15. PIV adjusts each season to league baselines, so it's the cleanest way to compare careers across eras.
PIV is computed through the 2025 season. The career totals on this page include 2026 to date, so PIV does not yet reflect the 2026 season.
Peak Seasons
The best single seasons each player produced, ranked by OPS among qualified workloads (300+ at-bats).
Ian Kinsler — top 3 seasons by OPS
Michael Young — top 3 seasons by OPS
Verdict
On the head-to-head card, Michael Young leads in hits, RBI, batting average, and OBP, while Ian Kinsler owns home runs, runs, and stolen bases. That doesn't settle the era debate, but on the raw scoreboard the edge goes to Michael Young. Note that PIV actually grades Ian Kinsler ahead, which means Michael Young's edge is partly volume. Click through to each profile for the full season-by-season breakdown.
Related Matchups
How the Ian Kinsler and Michael Young careers compare
From 2006 through 2013, Ian Kinsler and Michael Young were in the majors together. With 1,888 games against 1,970 across 15 and 15 PIV seasons, neither player's totals owe much to extra seasons. Where Ian Kinsler comes out ahead, it is in runs (1,243 to 1,137), home runs (257 to 185), and walks (693 to 575). At the plate, Ian Kinsler struck out more than walked (1,046 to 693), and Michael Young struck out more than walked (1,235 to 575). Home runs make up a larger share of Ian Kinsler's hits: 257 of 1,999 for Ian Kinsler, 185 of 2,375 for Michael Young.
Ian Kinsler vs Michael Young: Frequently Asked Questions
- Who was better, Ian Kinsler or Michael Young?
- By the career statistics compared on this page, Michael Young leads Ian Kinsler in 10 of the 14 scored categories.
- Did Ian Kinsler or Michael Young hit more home runs?
- Ian Kinsler, with 257 to Michael Young's 185.
- Who had the higher OPS?
- Michael Young, with .787 to Ian Kinsler's .777.
- Who had the higher batting average?
- Michael Young, with .300 to Ian Kinsler's .269.
- Who had more hits?
- Michael Young, with 2,375 to Ian Kinsler's 1,999.