Kinsler returns to Rangers as special assistant to GM

Ian Kinsler is coming back to where it all started.

The Rangers announced Monday morning that Kinsler has rejoined the organization as a special assistant to the general manager. Kinsler will assist Rangers GM Chris Young in many facets of baseball operations.

Kinsler will first serve out his duties as manager of Team Israel in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, which takes place in March. Upon completion, he’ll officially begin his new role in Spring Training with a Rangers club that is coming off yet another big offseason, having revamped its starting rotation with the free-agent signings of Jacob deGrom, Nathan Eovaldi and Andrew Heaney.

“It’s a great feeling to be able to be part of this organization,” Kinsler said. “I grew up here. I was drafted by the organization. There were a lot of people throughout this organization that made an impact on my career. Obviously, having CY here now, it just seemed like the pieces were all falling in the right place.

“I’m truly excited about it. I’m excited to be a part of what is being built here. The winter that has come to fruition. The players that have been brought in.”

Kinsler spent the past three seasons with San Diego working in the Padres’ front office as a special assistant to baseball operations and player development. As part of his new role with Texas, the former Rangers second baseman will be involved in player development at the Minor League level.

“I’m excited to try to make a mark on the Minor League guys in the way that they approach the game,” Kinsler said. “Really, whatever the organization needs. This is an exciting time for me to be back with the Rangers. I feel blessed, and I feel really good about it.”

A 17th-round pick by the Rangers in the 2003 MLB Draft out of the University of Missouri, Kinsler spent the first eight seasons of his 14-year big league career with Texas. He was inducted into the Texas Rangers Baseball Hall of Fame on Aug. 13, 2022, holding several offensive records for a Rangers second baseman after slashing .273/.349/.454 with 156 home runs, 249 doubles and 539 RBIs with Texas from 2006-13.

Kinsler’s 172 stolen bases in a Rangers uniform rank second behind Elvis Andrus on the club’s all-time list. He also ranks sixth in runs (748), seventh in extra-base hits (428) and walks (462) and eighth in home runs (156-tied), doubles, total bases (1,908) and multihit games (335). He also produced the only six-hit cycle in a nine-inning game since 1900 on April 15, 2009, against the Orioles in Arlington.

Helping the Rangers to World Series appearances in 2010 and ‘11, Kinsler was a consistently strong contributor in the playoffs, setting career team highs with a .311 batting average and .422 on-base percentage in 34 postseason games with the Rangers.

Going on to play for the Tigers, Angels, Red Sox and Padres, Kinsler finished his career as a four-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove Award winner with a .269 batting average, 257 home runs, 416 doubles, 909 RBIs and 243 stolen bases. He is one of 13 players (two second basemen) in AL/NL history to hit 30 home runs and steal 30 bases in multiple seasons, having accomplished the feat in 2009 and '11 with Texas. Kinsler also holds club records for most games started (662) and home runs (109) when batting leadoff, including a team mark of 29 homers when leading off the first inning. His four seasons of more than 100 runs scored are also tied with Michael Young for the club record.