Top 10 Power Hitters in Cincinnati Reds History

This is not a Top 10 list of home run hitters in Cincinnati history, nor is it a list of the RBI leaders.

I chose five categories to sort through to obtain the best power hitters in Reds history.

The categories used are based on 162-game season averages. To qualify, a player had to be with the Reds for a minimum of five years.

I selected HR, RBI, total bases, slugging pct., and OPS. Only numbers accrued while with the Reds are used.

Let's take a look at them now. Go ahead, press the button.

10. Vada Pinson

The best center fielder the Reds have had in their history, Pinson stayed with Cincinnat the first 11 of his 18 years.

He hit over 20 HR seven times, led the league in runs once and in hits twice. He had over 200 hits four times.

His average season statistics are: 20/85/310/.469/.810

9. Johnny Bench

Bench would probably be some people’s choice to fill one of the top two spots.

He played his entire 17-year career with Cincinnati. He was Rookie of the Year in 1968 and won MVP awards in 1970 and 1972.

He lead the league in HR twice and in RBI three times.

He is a member of the Hall of Fame.

His average season statistics are: 29/103/274/.476/.817

8. Wally Post

Wally did 12 years in Cincinnati in two shifts.

His best season was in 1955 when he played in every game on the Reds schedule. He hit 40 HR, had 109 RBI, scored 116 and batted .309.

His average season statistics are: 32/98/282/.484/.799

7. Tony Perez

Tony played with the Reds when he began his career in 1964 and for 13 more seasons before being traded to Montreal.

Perez also ended his career here playing his last three seasons with the Reds.

He is a member of the Hall of Fame.
His average season statistics are: 27/105/286/.481/.827

6. Eric Davis

Eric “The Red” Davis patrolled center field for the better part of nine years.

While here he won three Gold Gloves and two Silver Sluggers.

He still works with the team during Spring Training.

His average season statistics are: 34/101/275/.509/.871

5. Ted Kluszewski

Big Klu was a crowd favorite during his 10-year stay here in Cincinnati.

In 1954, he hit 49 HR and drove in 141, leading the league in both categories.

He was known for his cut-off sleeves on his jerseys, his arms would not look so big today.

His average season statistics are: 31/108/308/.512/.869

4. Adam Dunn

It seems like all Adam Dunn did when he landed in Cincinnati was hit 40 HR and drive in over 100 and strikeout nearly 200 times per hear.

He hit 40 HR or more in five of his eight seasons here, and knocked in over 100 four times.

His average season statistics are: 40/95/290/.519/.900

3. Ken Griffey, Jr.

Griffey, who is certain to be a Hall of Famer, enjoyed 8½ seasons with the Reds.

He hit 40 HR his first year here and 30 in his last full season with a bunch of trips to the DL in between.

His average season statistics are: 38/106/302/.524/.886

2. George Foster

Foster placing this high on the list may be a surprise to some fans.

He had some serious seasons with the Reds. George led the National League in HR two years in a row, and in RBI three years consecutively.

Like Robinson, Foster was here for 10 seasons. He was the MVP in 1976 as a part of the Big Red Machine.

His average season statistics are: 33/115/303/.525/.888

1. Frank Robinson

Robinson is still a beloved figure in Cincinnati even though he hasn’t played there since 1965 when he was traded to the Baltimore Orioles for Milt Pappas and a loaf of bread.

He had a storied career and a very robust 10 years in the Queen City.

He was the Rookie of the Year in 1956 and the National League Most Valuable Player in 1961.

Robinson is a member of the Hall of Fame.

His average season statistics are: 35/109/331/.554/.943