Jason Kipnis
Second Baseman · Career Stats, Bio & Records (2011-2020)
Jason Kipnis was a second baseman who played in Major League Baseball from 2011 to 2020 for the Cleveland Guardians and the Chicago Cubs, a span of 10 seasons. In 1,165 career games, he hit .260 with 1,147 hits, 126 home runs, and 545 RBI. Jason Kipnis was a 2-time All-Star. His career PIV — Baseball Data Hub's era-adjusted measure of offensive impact — is 3,297.
- 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
- Position
- Second Baseman
- Bats / Throws
- L / R
- Height / Weight
- 5'11" / 200 lb
- MLB Debut
- 2011-07-22
- Last Game
- 2020-09-27
- Awards
- 2× All-Star
Full name: Jason Michael Kipnis
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1,165 | 4,404 | 607 | 1,147 | 260 | 24 | 126 | 545 | 136 | 467 | 951 | .260 | .333 | .416 | .750 | 3,297 |
Career AVG .260 vs. league average .253 across their career seasons — near league average.
Career OBP .333 vs. league average .319 across their career seasons — near league average.
Career SLG .416 vs. league average .409 across their career seasons — near league average.
Career OPS .750 vs. league average .729 across their career seasons — near league average.
Season-by-Season Batting
Click a stat to plot it across every season.
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | Lg AVG | Lg OBP | Lg SLG | Lg OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | CLE | AL | 36 | 136 | 24 | 37 | 9 | 1 | 7 | 19 | 5 | 11 | 34 | .272 | .255 (+7%) | .320 (+4%) | .399 (+27%) | .719 (+17%) | 357.2 |
| 2012 | CLE | AL | 152 | 591 | 86 | 152 | 22 | 4 | 14 | 76 | 31 | 67 | 109 | .257 | .254 (+1%) | .318 (+5%) | .405 (-6%) | .724 (-1%) | -25.9 |
| 2013 | CLE | AL | 149 | 564 | 86 | 160 | 36 | 4 | 17 | 84 | 30 | 76 | 143 | .284 | .253 (+12%) | .317 (+15%) | .396 (+14%) | .714 (+15%) | 1750.3 |
| 2014 | CLE | AL | 129 | 500 | 61 | 120 | 25 | 1 | 6 | 41 | 22 | 50 | 100 | .240 | .251 (-4%) | .313 (-1%) | .386 (-15%) | .700 (-9%) | -575.3 |
| 2015 | CLE | AL | 141 | 565 | 86 | 171 | 43 | 7 | 9 | 52 | 12 | 57 | 107 | .303 | .254 (+19%) | .316 (+17%) | .404 (+12%) | .721 (+14%) | 1691.0 |
| 2016 | CLE | AL | 156 | 610 | 91 | 168 | 41 | 4 | 23 | 82 | 15 | 60 | 146 | .275 | .255 (+8%) | .321 (+7%) | .417 (+12%) | .738 (+10%) | 1204.1 |
| 2017 | CLE | AL | 90 | 336 | 43 | 78 | 25 | 0 | 12 | 35 | 6 | 28 | 71 | .232 | .254 (-9%) | .324 (-10%) | .425 (-3%) | .750 (-6%) | -421.3 |
| 2018 | CLE | AL | 147 | 530 | 65 | 122 | 28 | 1 | 18 | 75 | 7 | 60 | 112 | .230 | .247 (-7%) | .318 (-1%) | .409 (-5%) | .727 (-3%) | -224.9 |
| 2019 | CLE | AL | 121 | 458 | 52 | 112 | 23 | 1 | 17 | 65 | 7 | 40 | 88 | .245 | .252 (-3%) | .322 (-6%) | .434 (-6%) | .757 (-6%) | -480.9 |
| 2020 | CHN | NL | 44 | 114 | 13 | 27 | 8 | 1 | 3 | 16 | 1 | 18 | 41 | .237 | .244 (-3%) | .321 (+6%) | .417 (-3%) | .739 (+1%) | 22.8 |
| Career · 10 seasons | 1,165 | 4,404 | 607 | 1,147 | 260 | 24 | 126 | 545 | 136 | 467 | 951 | .260 | — | — | — | — | 3,297 | ||
Lg columns show the league average for that season, with the player's figure as a percentage above or below it. Career totals the seasons listed above.
Postseason Statistics
Playoff Career Batting
Playoff Batting by Year
| Year | Round | Team | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | NLWC3 | CHN | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .000 |
| 2018 | ALDS2 | CLE | 3 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | .111 |
| 2017 | ALDS1 | CLE | 5 | 22 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 8 | .182 |
| 2016 | ALCS | CLE | 5 | 19 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | .053 |
| 2016 | ALDS2 | CLE | 3 | 11 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 4 | .364 |
| 2016 | WS | CLE | 7 | 31 | 6 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 9 | .290 |
| 2013 | ALWC | CLE | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 |
Game Log & Splits
View full game log (1165 games) →Per-game data from Retrosheet (regular season, through 2025).
Batting — Home / Away
| Split | G | AB | R | H | HR | RBI | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home | 584 | 2150 | 332 | 579 | 64 | 266 | .269 |
| Away | 581 | 2254 | 275 | 568 | 62 | 279 | .252 |
Last 10 Games — Batting
| Date | Tm | Opp | Res | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-09-27 | CHC | CHW | W | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 2020-09-26 | CHC | CHW | L | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020-09-25 | CHC | CHW | W | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 2020-09-24 | CHC | PIT | L | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2020-09-23 | CHC | PIT | L | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2020-09-22 | CHC | PIT | L | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020-09-21 | CHC | PIT | W | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2020-09-20 | CHC | MIN | L | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2020-09-18 | CHC | MIN | W | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2020-09-16 | CHC | CLE | W | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 1 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2B | 1086 | 1072 | 1584 | 2822 | 72 | 575 |
| OF | 25 | 25 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | CLE | 2B | 36 | 34 | 58 | 100 | 6 | 16 |
| 2012 | CLE | 2B | 146 | 145 | 241 | 440 | 6 | 94 |
| 2013 | CLE | 2B | 147 | 146 | 242 | 395 | 12 | 91 |
| 2014 | CLE | 2B | 123 | 121 | 181 | 347 | 6 | 63 |
| 2015 | CLE | 2B | 124 | 124 | 203 | 311 | 7 | 69 |
| 2016 | CLE | 2B | 151 | 151 | 198 | 422 | 12 | 70 |
| 2017 | CLE | 2B | 75 | 74 | 107 | 171 | 7 | 41 |
| 2017 | CLE | OF | 11 | 11 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | CLE | 2B | 131 | 129 | 175 | 308 | 9 | 68 |
| 2018 | CLE | OF | 14 | 14 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | CLE | 2B | 117 | 117 | 150 | 253 | 4 | 51 |
| 2020 | CHN | 1B | 1 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2020 | CHN | 2B | 36 | 31 | 29 | 75 | 3 | 12 |
Career Games by Position
Circle size = games played at each position.
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| First Base | 1 |
| Second Base | 1086 |
| Center Field | 25 |
| Designated Hitter | 43 |
Awards & Honors
| Year | Award | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Player of the Month | May |
| 2014 | Player of the Week | Week of 2014-07-20 |
| 2013 | Player of the Month | June |
| 2013 | Player of the Week | Week of 2013-06-30 |
| 2013 | Player of the Week | Week of 2013-06-16 |
Salary History
Jason Kipnis's recorded salaries total $13,491,499 over 5 seasons, 2012 to 2016. This total is partial: the salary data covers 1985 to 2016, and Kipnis's career ran from 2011 to 2020. His seasons after 2016 are not included, and no salary is recorded for 2011.
| Year | Team | League | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | CLE | AL | $6,166,667 |
| 2015 | CLE | AL | $4,166,666 |
| 2014 | CLE | AL | $2,166,666 |
| 2013 | CLE | AL | $509,400 |
| 2012 | CLE | AL | $482,100 |
| Total recorded salary (partial) | $13,491,499 | ||
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona State University | Tempe | AZ | 2008, 2009 |
| University of Kentucky | Lexington | KY | 2007 |
Award Voting History
| Year | Award | League | Finish | Points Won | Points Max | Votes First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 16th | 17.0 | 420 | 0 |
| 2013 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 11th | 31.0 | 420 | 0 |
Most Similar Players
Career comps based on counting + rate stats and primary position. Score is relative — closest peer anchors at ~98%.
Jason Kipnis (highlighted) compared to peers across the same era.
Jason Kipnis: the record in brief
According to the bio, Jason Kipnis debuted on July 22, 2011 and played a final game on September 27, 2020. The season rows list, in order, the Cleveland Indians (2011 to 2019) and the Chicago Cubs (2020). At 5'11" and 200 pounds, Kipnis is listed as a second baseman. Kipnis threw right-handed and batted left-handed, per the bio block. Kipnis was born on April 3, 1987, in Northbrook, IL, USA. Jason Kipnis was the playing name; the full given name is Jason Michael.
Kipnis collected 1,147 hits in 4,404 at bats across 1,165 games, good for a .260 batting average, plus 126 home runs, 545 runs batted in, and 136 stolen bases. Kipnis's career OPS of .750 combines a .333 on-base mark with .416 slugging. Against a .253 league average for those years, Kipnis's .260 average was near the norm. No season beat the 23 home runs Kipnis hit in 2016. 2015 produced Kipnis's most hits, 171 of them for the Cleveland Indians. The RBI column peaks at 84 in 2013.
Frequently Asked Questions about Jason Kipnis
- What years did Jason Kipnis play?
- Jason Kipnis played in Major League Baseball from 2011 to 2020.
- Was Jason Kipnis a pitcher?
- No. Jason Kipnis was a position player (Second Baseman).
- How many home runs did Jason Kipnis hit?
- Jason Kipnis hit 126 career home runs with 1,147 hits.
- What teams did Jason Kipnis play for?
- Jason Kipnis played for 2 teams: the Cleveland Indians (2011–2019) and the Chicago Cubs (2020).
- Did Jason Kipnis win an MVP award?
- No. Jason Kipnis did not win the MVP award.
- What awards did Jason Kipnis win?
- Jason Kipnis was selected to 2 All-Star Games.
- What were Jason Kipnis's career stats?
- In 1,165 games, Jason Kipnis had 1,147 hits, 126 home runs, 545 RBI, 607 runs, and 136 stolen bases, with a .260 batting average.
- How much did Jason Kipnis earn in his career?
- Jason Kipnis's recorded salaries total $13,491,499 over 5 seasons, 2012 to 2016. This total is partial: the salary data covers 1985 to 2016, and Kipnis's career ran from 2011 to 2020. His seasons after 2016 are not included, and no salary is recorded for 2011.
- What was Jason Kipnis's salary?
- Jason Kipnis's last recorded salary was $6,166,667, in 2016. His highest recorded salary was $6,166,667, in 2016, and his lowest was $482,100, in 2012. The Salary History table lists each season from 2012 to 2016.
- What position did Jason Kipnis play?
- Jason Kipnis played primarily as a second baseman, the position where he appeared in the most games.
- How tall was Jason Kipnis and how much did he weigh?
- Jason Kipnis was listed at 5 feet 11 inches and 200 pounds.
- How many home runs did Jason Kipnis hit each season?
- Jason Kipnis's home runs by season: 7 in 2011, 14 in 2012, 17 in 2013, 6 in 2014, 9 in 2015, 23 in 2016, 12 in 2017, 18 in 2018, 17 in 2019, and 3 in 2020. His most in one season was 23, in 2016.
- What was Jason Kipnis's career batting average?
- Jason Kipnis batted .260 over his career, with 1,147 hits in 4,404 at bats.
- How many RBI did Jason Kipnis have?
- Jason Kipnis drove in 545 runs in his career.