Over/Under: Ian Kinsler OBP .333

The Angels acquired second baseman Ian Kinsler from Detroit last December to help fill a second base void that has haunted the team for the last several years. Kinsler will also likely hit at the top of the order and serve as our leadoff man.

For his career, Kinsler sports a .342 OBP but is coming off a career worse .314. With big hitters like Mike Trout and Justin Upton hitting behind him, Kinsler’s on base skills will have a huge impact on the Angels offense.

So, will he reach base safely a third of the time?

Why He Will: he’ll be back in the lead off role and even Kinsler admitted that being on a bad Detroit team affected his mental approach to the game. His walk rate was in line with his career norms (his OBP was weighed down by his batting average). After his other down years, he’s bounced back nicely with OBPs of .344 and .348.

Why He Won’t: Father Time is undefeated and Kinsler is getting older. If his bat has slowed, the snowball effect of pitchers going right after him without fear will only pick up. Plus, with thumpers like Trout and Upton behind him, pitchers definitely won’t want to walk Kinsler.