Which Jason Kipnis is Going to Show Up in 2016?

In a year where he was an All-Star for the second time and hit a career best of .303, Kipnis disappointed fantasy owners by seeing his home run and stolen base totals continue to trend downward. After hitting 31 home runs and stealing 61 bases from 2012-2013, he has hit only 15 home runs and stole just 34 bases the past two seasons.

While it would be silly to talk down fantasy owners from drafting our 4th ranked second baseman, even with depressed power and speed, it is fair to ask what chance Kipnis has of using those skills as well as he used to. The power seems on track to reappear this season as his 43 doubles last year made a career high and his .451 slugging percentage was only 1 point below the .452 mark he put up when he clubbed 17 homers in 2013. The speed isn't as cheery a prospect as his eventual abandonment of that aspect of his game post All-Star Break of last season--he was a ghastly 2 for 5--is a large red flag. All signs point to yes that we are in for a big year from Kipnis.