FACTS/FLUKES: Kipnis, Napoli, Lester, Villar, Smyly

Was 2013 a big step forward for Kipnis? ... In 2013, Jason Kipnis (2B, CLE) appeared to take a step forward. He showed the same base-stealing ability, but increased HR and RBI, and BA was up 27 points. It looked like a solid year of growth for a young player in his second full season.

Year   AB    BA   xBA  bb%  ct%   PX  LD%  HR  h%  hr/f  Spd  SB  SBO%  SB% 
====  ===  ====  ====  ===  ===  ===  ===  ==  ==  ====  ===  ==  ====  ===
2011  136  .272  .289    7   75  166   21   7  32   21%   91   5   16%  100 
2012  591  .257  .259   10   85   76   23  14  29   10%  106  31   21%   82 
2013  564  .284  .265   12   75  125   25  17  35   12%   99  30   21%   81

However, the BPIs aren't quite so sure.

• That big leap in batting average...

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