San Francisco Giants: Top 10 Second Baseman in Giants’ History

By Daniel Sperry

Jan 15, 2017

Oct 10, 2016; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants second baseman Joe Panik (12) hits a walk-off RBI double against the Chicago Cubs during the thirteenth inning during game three of the 2016 NLDS playoff baseball series at AT&T Park. The San Francisco Giants won 6-5 in thirteen innings. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports /

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Many think Jeff Kent should be in the Baseball Hall of Fame. But for now, he’s at least in the Bay Area’s hall. Robert Hanashiro, USA Today /

Number 4: Jeff Kent, (1997-2002), 31.4 WAR

Jeff Kent marks a significant jump in career WAR with the Giants. From 15.8 to 31.4, the career number nearly doubled. Kent, on the record, was a “clean” player in the middle of the steroid era and home-run race. Kent hit 175 HRs in his six seasons by the bay. Kent recieved an MVP vote in 5 of his six seasons, winning the award in 2000. Kent had a .297/.368/.535/.903 slashline with the Giants, which is clearly the best overall line at the position.

Kent’s K/BB ratio was nearly 2:1 and was not a stellar baserunner, with only 57 stolen bases in San Francisco, the three ahead of him on this list have at least double that number. That, and most of them played for the Giants for close to 10 years, contributed to others having a higher WAR.

Kent was a little controversial, mainly due to his feuds and clubhouse issues with team star Barry Bonds. Jeff Kent is on the ballot for the BBWAA Hall of Fame vote this year. He most likely won’t make it this season, buy you could definitely see him getting in during his latter years on the ballot. Kent’s career WAR is good enough to be in the hall. If and when he gets elected to the hall, he would be 12th on the list of career WAR for HOF Second Baseman. Kent deserves to be in, and should get there eventually.