This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Sports

Kipnis Gets the Call; Proclaims "I'm Coming Cleveland!!"

Former Glenbrook North and Arizona State standout Jason Kipnis was promoted to the Cleveland Indians on Thursday from Triple-A Columbus. Kipnis will start at second base on Friday night as the Indians host the Chicago White Sox at Progressive Field.

Northbrook’s own Jason Kipnis will play his first major league baseball game tonight for the Cleveland Indians.

And no one’s more excited than he is.

If you follow the Northbrook native on Twitter  (@TheJK_Kid), you would have seen the following messages yesterday afternoon: "ITS TIME!!!" and "I'm Coming Cleveland!!"

Find out what's happening in Northbrookwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Kipnis, a 2005 Glenbrook North graduate and former PAC-10 Player of the Year at Arizona State University, was ecstatic after receiving the call of a lifetime Thursday, as the highly touted second-baseman was notified that his services were needed at the Major League level. Kipnis, who will don number 22 for the Cleveland Indians, is in Friday night's starting lineup, slated to bat eighth against his first Major League opponent, right-hander Gavin Floyd of the visiting Chicago White Sox.

Earlier: 

Find out what's happening in Northbrookwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Kipnis is no stranger to the big stage, having played on national television on numerous occasions, but Friday will mark his first game in the majors after skyrocketing through Cleveland's farm system. The youngest of four, Kipnis was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the fourth round of the 2008 Major League Baseball draft but opted not to sign; after his second of two successful seasons in Tempe, Kipnis was selected by the Indians in the second round of the 2009 draft as an outfielder; he was then moved to second base. 

In college, Kipnis helped lead ASU to the College World Series and last season he made a splash for Cleveland's Triple-A affiliate, the Columbus Clippers, as they captured the Triple-A National Championship. The 24 year-old was also selected as a starter for this year's Triple-A All-Star game in Salt Lake City, as well as the All-Star Weekend Futures Game for Team USA; Kipnis led off the Futures Game with a solo home-run off Braves' prospect, Julio Teheran, in the bottom of the first inning.

Though there was speculation as to whether Kipnis would see time in the Indians' outfield, Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported Friday that Kipnis will mostly split time with Orlando Cabrera at second. 

The left-handed hitter collected a .279 average with a .361 on-base percentage and .481 slugging percentage over 91 games in Triple-A. Kipnis also had 12 home runs, 35 RBI and 12 stolen bases in 13 attempts this season for the Clippers while leading the International League in triples. His bat is expected to receive a warm welcome in Cleveland as the Indians (51-46) entered Friday night one half-game behind the Detroit Tigers in the American League Central. 

Kipnis' parents, Mark and Kay, along with a caravan of family and friends will be in attendance this weekend at Progressive Field, but Jason's support system extends far beyond the Buckeye State; Kipnis' Facebook page continues to be bombarded with "Like's" and congratulatory messages. 

For those wishing to watch Kipnis' Indians battle the White Sox this weekend, Comcast Sports Net will carry both Friday's and Sunday's games, starting at 6:05pm CST and 12:05pm CST respectively; Saturday's contest will air on WGN starting at 6:05 CST.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?