Jason Michael Kipnis (born April 3, 1987; nicknamed "Kip")[1] is an American former professional baseball second baseman.

Jason Michael Kipnis was born on April 3, 1987, in Northbrook, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago.

As a senior, Kipnis batted .521 with a .690 on-base percentage and 32 stolen bases in 32 attempts; he was named first-team all-state and the Central Suburban League Most Valuable Player.

[1][12] As a freshman at Glenbrook North, Kipnis played soccer, setting the school's single-season goal scoring record with 41.

[4] An All-Conference wide receiver,[1][5][13] Kipnis set single-season school records for receptions, yards, and touchdowns.

In announcing its selection, the Pioneer Press noted: "Quite simply one of the top receivers in the state, a player who piled up impressive numbers despite the fact the Spartans averaged barely 15 passing attempts per game.

In the spring of 2007, Kipnis batted .337 for the Wildcats with a .450 on-base percentage as an outfielder while stealing 11 bases in 12 attempts in 34 games.

[20][24][25] In 2008, Kipnis became the second Arizona State player to win the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) Pacific-10 Conference Newcomer of the Year.

However, Kipnis opted to remain in college at Arizona State,[27] becoming the seventh-highest player in the draft who chose not to sign.

[22] Regarding Kipnis' success, Arizona State coach Pat Murphy observed: "I love that kid.

"[25] Moreover, Paul DePodesta, San Diego Padres front office assistant and former Los Angeles Dodgers general manager, described him as "a pesky player who is a very tough out, hitting the ball to all fields and running the bases aggressively ... [who] plays very hard and is surprisingly strong.

[3][33] In 2009, the first-year minor leaguer batted .306 for the Mahoning Valley Scrappers of the Short-Season A classification New York–Penn League, playing left and center field.

[33] Kipnis felt he would have more success in the majors at second base, particularly because of Cleveland's difficulties at that position in recent years.

He works the count extremely well and makes consistently hard contact, and he has some surprising pop for his size.

Kipnis batted .455 in five games, and hit for the cycle on September 17 in the Clippers’ victory that clinched the International League title.

[47] Baseball Prospectus 2011 reported that Kipnis was "a compact athlete who works the count, and consistently barrels up balls with enough power for 15–20 home runs annually in the big leagues.

"[8] Indians Manager Manny Acta described him as: "a blue collar, dirt bag, run-through-a-wall, relentless type of guy.

[50] Jim Bowden ranked him the 39th-best prospect in baseball, saying, "He made great progress defensively this past year, and there is no doubt he should be a .300, 15 HR, 70 RBI type offensive 2B in the future".

[56] In 2011, Kipnis was named the Indians Minor League Player of the Week for June 26 – July 2, after batting .500 with two home runs and a .581 on-base percentage.

At that point in the season, Kipnis was 11-for-11 in stolen base attempts[44] and was leading the International League in runs scored (60) and triples (9).

[44] Kipnis represented the Cleveland Indians in the 2011 All-Star Futures Game on July 10, hitting a 95-mph fastball for a home run when he led off the bottom of the first inning for the United States.

[57][58][59] Kipnis also was named to the International League All-Star team, and he doubled and walked in the game on July 13.

[62][63] Kipnis made his major league debut on July 22, 2011, starting at second base against the Chicago White Sox.

[69] On May 3, 2012, in a game against the Chicago White Sox, Kipnis had a triple, home run, and a career-high four RBIs in a 7–5 Indians victory.

[70] On June 1, Kipnis hit his first major league grand slam off Minnesota Twins' starting pitcher Carl Pavano.

[71] Kipnis played 152 games in 2012, batting .257 with 14 home runs and 76 RBIs, and finished tied for 6th in the American League in steals (with 31).

[27][72] In the 2013 season Kipnis continued to improve over his 2012 performance, winning the Player of the Week honor twice in the month of June.

[79] On September 17, 2019, the Indians announced that Kipnis suffered a broken right hamate bone which required surgery to remove.

On February 15, 2021, Kipnis signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves organization that included an invitation to Spring Training.

[84] Kipnis played in 59 games for the Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers, hitting .290/.390/.518 with 10 home runs and 32 RBI's.