Positioning behind Iglesias’ improved ‘D’

DETROIT — While the Tigers took batting practice on Friday afternoon before their series opener against the Rays, Jose Iglesias and Ian Kinsler took part in their usual middle-infield routine, which centers on the unusual double plays they turn. One after another, Iglesias flipped and tossed the ball to a waiting Kinsler, focusing on getting the ball where the second baseman can best make a grab and turn a relay throw.

As a double-play duo, Kinsler and Iglesias have assembled a highlight reel of plays over the past season-plus. As a shortstop, Iglesias has his own resume of unbelievable grabs and throws. This appears to be the season he has the advanced metrics to back up his prowess.

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A quarter of the way through the season, Iglesias has a higher Ultimate Zone Rating (2.4) than he did in three-quarters of a season last year (2.3), according to Fangraphs.

The uptick is not because of his highlight-worthy plays. It’s the routine plays making Iglesias’ numbers better — or, as manager Brad Ausmus called them in Spring Training, the “meat and potatoes” of …

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