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

ByDrew 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 Reds
WASHINGTON, DC – JULY 17: Scooter Gennett #3 of the Cincinnati Reds and National League celebrates after a two-run home run in the ninth inning to tie the game against the American League during the 89th MLB All-Star Game, presented by Mastercard at Nationals Park on July 17, 2018 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

6. Scooter Gennett, Second baseman (2017-2019)

The Reds may not have made a better waiver wire pickup this past decade than Scooter Gennett. The former Milwaukee Brewers second baseman was claimed off waivers prior to the 2017 season and hit a two-out, two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning on Opening Day against the Philadelphia Phillies that year.

The Cincinnati native had one of the best moments of the decade on June 6, 2017. Against the St. Louis Cardinals, Scooter launched four home runs, tying a club record. Gennett’s 10 RBIs set a career-high. Gennett finished the 2017 season with a slash line of .295/.342/.531 with 27 home runs and 97 RBIs.

Gennett earned a one-year deal the following season and landed a trip to the All-Star Game. Gennett hit a pinch-hit, game-tying homer in the ninth inning of the Midsummer Classic, but the National League fell the American League 8-6 in extra innings. Scooter hit .310 that season, and fell just short of leading the NL in batting. Christian Yelich was the eventual MVP and batting champion.

Scooter Gennett was poised to be a leader for the Reds heading into 2019, but a severe groin injury during spring training kept him out of action for almost three months. Upon his return, Scooter hit just .217 and failed to hit a home run. Gennett was eventually dealt to the San Francisco Giants.

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