Cincinnati Reds: Top 5 all-time ground into double play

Who owns the dubious distinction of leading the Reds in this category?

We’ve seen plenty of players ground into double plays during the 2020 season. In fact, the Cincinnati Reds are fourth in the league (33), trailing the New York Mets, in that dubious category. While grounding into a double play is certainly the quickest way to end a rally, some of the greatest players in the history of the Reds lead the team in that category.

Double plays are some of the most exciting defensive plays in all of baseball. The double play can occur anytime there is at least one baserunner and less than two outs. The average team commits a double play about once per game. But, there’s more than one way to complete a double play.

The Cincinnati Reds found out the hard way earlier this season when Nick Castellanos sharply hit a fly ball into right field. After securing the ball in his mitt, Ben Gamel uncorked a missile to home plate and catcher Omar Narvaez tagged out Freddy Galvis at the plate. However, for this list, we’re looking only at those players who “ground into” a double play.

Galvis leads the Reds this season in that category with five, but all-world shortstop Francisco Lindor of the Cleveland Indians and San Diego Padres third baseman Manny Machado lead their respective leagues in that category in 2020 with eight apiece. Who’s the all-time leader in Cincinnati Reds history?