Jason Kipnis is a former American professional baseball player who played as a second baseman for the Cleveland Indians and the Chicago Cubs. He was born on April 3, 1987, in Northbrook, Illinois, and attended Glenbrook North High School. Kipnis played college baseball at Arizona State University, where he was a two-time All-American.
Kipnis was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the second round of the 2009 Major League Baseball draft. He made his Major League debut on July 22, 2011, and quickly established himself as one of the Indians' top players. In his rookie season, Kipnis hit .272 with seven home runs and 19 stolen bases in just 36 games.
Over the next several seasons, Kipnis continued to be a key player for the Indians. He was named an All-Star in 2013 and 2015 and won a Gold Glove award in 2012. In 2016, Kipnis helped lead the Indians to the World Series, where they ultimately lost to the Chicago Cubs in seven games.
Injuries began to take a toll on Kipnis in the later years of his career. He missed significant time in 2017 and 2018 due to shoulder and hamstring injuries, respectively. Despite these setbacks, Kipnis remained a productive player when he was on the field. In 2019, he hit .245 with 17 home runs and 65 RBIs in 121 games.
After the 2019 season, the Indians declined Kipnis' option for the 2020 season, making him a free agent. He signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs in February 2020 and made the team's Opening Day roster. Kipnis played in 44 games for the Cubs in 2020, hitting .237 with three home runs and 16 RBIs.
In December 2020, Kipnis became a free agent again when the Cubs declined his option for the 2021 season. He has not signed with a new team as of this writing.
Throughout his career, Kipnis was known for his versatility, as he played both second base and outfield at various points. He was also a fan favorite in Cleveland, known for his hustle and his willingness to interact with fans.
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