Cincinnati Reds in Review: 3B Jack Hannahan

The completely underwhelming Jack Hannahan Era came and went in Cincinnati for the Reds and chances are, you barely noticed it.

Jack Hannahan – Third Baseman

Never has Jack Hannahan been “the man.” His only season in which he received over 500 plate appearances was with the Oakland A’s back in 2008. Since joining on with the Reds in the winter of 2013, he has had a combined 212 plate appearances.

In order to keep costs as low as possible over the past two seasons, General Manager Walt Jocketty finagled Hannahan’s contract in such a way that he would earn just $1 million each season and then this winter, they would have the option of either bringing him back at a $4 million clip, or giving him $2 million to disappear. Where they will side is to be determined, but it’s tough to imagine giving a reserve player with a history of being unable to stay healthy $4 million to do much of anything.

Rendered virtually useless due to shoulder surgery, Hannahan would not even debut with the Reds in 2014 until July 27. We were also silly to believe at the time that he may actually represent some form of reinforcements.

The reason it is so difficult to believe Hannahan can ever produce again is his track record. Never has he hit double-digit home runs in a season, batted above .250, or had more walks than strikeouts.

His versatility is one of his key attributes, as he can play either corner infield position quite well, along with having appeared at second base for the Reds in a pinch in 2013. Back in 2008 with Oakland, he produced a 1.9 dWAR.

Hannahan’s Stat Line:

.188/.220/.250, 48 AB’s, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 2 BB-17 K

Top Jack Hannahan Moment:

In a season where he drove in only two runs the entire year, having hit into as many double plays as runs he drove in, the logical choice is the lone game he drove anybody in.

At home against the New York Mets on September 5, with the Reds trailing 14-3 in the bottom of the ninth, Hannahan would slash a two-run single to right field.

It was a season where Hannahan struck out nearly double as many times as he got a base hit. Still recovering from his shoulder surgery that cost him the majority of his season, Hannahan could never quite recover in time to get into any kind of rhythm.

Low-Point of Season for Jack Hannahan:

Never seeing his batting average crack the Mendoza line must have been strenuous on the veteran Hannahan. Having been selected in the Amateur Draft 13 years ago, Hannahan is no longer a young kid from Minnesota; he has worked himself into an eight-year Major League career, one that he doesn’t wish to end any time soon.

Unless the Reds are willing to pick up his $4 million option (which is highly unlikely), Hannahan will have to settle for a $2 million payday, along with free agency and hoping someone comes calling.

Final Grade: D

Hannahan’s veteran leadership is an unquantifiable stat, but his performance on the field was less than satisfactory. Chances are that after two years of having brought Hannahan over from northern Ohio, he will be searching for employment in a different state come 2015.