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Cincinnati Reds: Ranking the top 10 hitters of the decade (2010-2019)

By Drew Koch

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JULY 26: Joey Votto #19 of the Cincinnati Reds is congratulated by Jay Bruce #32 after hitting a home run against the San Francisco Giants during the fourth inning at AT&T Park on July 26, 2016 in San Francisco, California. The San Francisco Giants defeated the Cincinnati Reds 9-7. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JULY 26: Joey Votto #19 of the Cincinnati Reds is congratulated by Jay Bruce #32 after hitting a home run against the San Francisco Giants during the fourth inning at AT&T Park on July 26, 2016 in San Francisco, California. The San Francisco Giants defeated the Cincinnati Reds 9-7. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images) /
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CINCINNATI, OH – AUGUST 18: Ryan Ludwick #48 of the Cincinnati Reds hits his second home run of the game in the seventh inning against the Chicago Cubs during game two of a doubleheader at Great American Ball Park on August 18, 2012 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Cubs won 9-7. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

10. Ryan Ludwick, Outfielder (2012-2014)

The No. 10 spot on this list provided a lot options, but in the end, Ryan Ludwick snags this slot. Ludwick joined the Reds in 2012, and as the team’s primary left fielder that season, helped lead Cincinnati to their second postseason berth in three years. Cincinnati was Ludwick’s final stop after spending the previous nine seasons with five different teams.

In 2012, Ludwick signed a one-year deal with Cincinnati following a 2011 season that saw him split time between the Pittsburgh Pirates and San Diego Padres. Ludwick’s best season as a professional came back in 2008 with the St. Louis Cardinals, a year in which Ludwick went to his first and only All-Star Game, hitting .299 with 37 home runs and 113 RBIs that season.

Obviously, Ludwick was not that same player by the time he arrived to Cincinnati, but he still packed a wallop in his bat, slashing .275/.346/.571 with 26 homers and 80 RBIs in his first season with the Reds. Ludwick trailed only Jay Bruce for the team lead in home runs and RBIs that season.

Ludwick re-signed with the Reds for a two years following the success of the 2012 season, but injuries plagued him the following season. Torn cartilage in his right shoulder required surgery, limiting Ludwick to only 38 games in 2013. Ludwick closed out his Reds career in 2014 with 37 home runs, 137 RBIs, and 53 doubles.

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