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

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 Reds
CINCINNATI, OH – SEPTEMBER 05: Shin-Soo Choo #17 of the Cincinnati Reds hits a home run in the 4th inning during the game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Great American Ball Park on September 5, 2013 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

8. Shin-Soo Choo, Outfielder (2013)

Though he only played one season with the Cincinnati Reds, Shin-Soo Choo is more than deserving to be on this list. The Korean-born outfielder spent the first several seasons of his career with the Seattle Mariners and Cleveland Indians before being traded to the Reds during the 2012 offseason.

In exchange for Choo, Cincinnati shipped Drew Stubbs and Didi Gregorius out of town. During 2013, his lone season in the Queen City, Shin-Soo Choo was first on the team in steals (20) and runs scored (107), second in walks (112) and doubles (34), and third in home runs (21). His offensive production at the top of the order helped set the table for the likes of Joey Votto and Jay Bruce.

Choo saw a few milestones during his time with the Reds. On August 27th, a game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Choo blasted his 100th career home run. Choo also held a rather dubious record for the Reds, being plunked by a pitch on September 9th that season, Choo set the club mark for hit-by-pitch (26). Derek Dietrich almost eclipsed that record last season, but fell one short.

Choo used his remarkable 2013 season to parlay a seven-year/$130M contract with the Texas Rangers, effectively ending his time in Cincinnati after just one season. While it was just one year, Shin-Soo. Choo is more than deserving to make the list. Hopefully the Reds can find a leadoff hitter as productive as Choo with the recent signing of Shogo Akiyama.

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