Number of 2B with an OPS+ over 110 since 2000: 65.
Number with an OBP over .380: 18.
Still only a couple of guys a year. But there were only 4 batters in that decade who managed an OBP over .380 and didn't have an OPS+ over 110. It's hard to do.
OBP gets you that OPS+ even as a low-powered middle-infielder.
By the way...
Number of batters with an OPS+ over 110 and an OBP under .360: 16.
That makes basically half the 110+ OPS+ bats between .360 and .380. That's the sweet spot.
Under .340? 7. Alfonso Soriano has two, Bret Boone and Dan Uggla have one each.
The only way to get that OPS+ number without walking is to have tons of power.
OTOH, being able to take a walk means you can be a long-term starter at the position without needing much power at all.
Ackley should be an instant success with nothing more than his expected walks.
If he can club some doubles, he's an All-Star. HRs? He's a legend.
This position switch was genius. Now he just needs to make it work, because his skillset is suited to keeping him productive at the position for a long time if his glove will let him stay there.
~G
PS - it's annoying when posts are deleted any my replies go into the ether, never to be seen again because I "replied to a deleted post." Any way to capture those? When I can't cut and paste from email or editor and have it keep the format but I lose posts that I typed into the text window, it gets frustrating.