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Tigers' first half MVP

The MVP of the first half is surprisingly not Scherzer, Verlander, Cabrera, or either Martinez

By John A McGeehan
Ian Kinsler hits a three run home run in the ninth inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on June 28, 2014
Ian Kinsler hits a three run home run in the ninth inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on June 28, 2014
Bob Levey

The Tigers finally arrive at the half-way point of the season, surviving odd scheduling, poor weather, and a wretched team slump. Arriving in first place is reason to crown an MVP of the first half. The Tigers' MVP through 81 games offers these performance measures:

  • first on the team with 362 plate appearances
  • first with 58 runs scored
  • first with 104 hits
  • second to Miguel Cabrera with 30 doubles
  • second to Austin Jackson with 2 triples
  • second to Rajai Davis with 22 stolen bases
  • second to Miguel Cabrera with 80 games played
  • third with 10 home runs (tied with J.D. Martinez)
  • third with 43 RBIs
  • third with a .308 batting average
  • third with a .482 slugging percentage
  • fourth with a .343 on-base percentage
  • first on the team in bWAR (3.8) and fWAR (3.6)
  • first on the team in defensive value
  • first among all second basemen in fWAR (Jose Altuve is second)

Without him, Andrew Romine or Hernan Perez would be playing second base and defining "replacement player".

Thus Ian Kinsler is the most valuable Tiger of the first half of 2014.

Honorable mentions:

Rick Porcello:  11 wins, second in bWAR

Victor Martinez:  first in OPS+ and total bases

J.D. Martinez:  first in "exceeding expectations"

Miguel Cabrera, because Miggy

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