Cincinnati Reds: Ranking Outfielders of the Past Decade

With the ability to look at the past, it is time to evaluate the outfielders who have played for the Cincinnati Reds in the last 10 years.

The Reds have had their fair share of stars in the outfield...but they have also had some players who fans wish never played for the team.

The team had a young core earlier in this decade in hopes of making the postseason, and they have replaced them with an even younger group of outfielders. With their current outfielders, they have a chance to contend for years to come.

While some of these players have had success since leaving the team, it is important to judge them only on their time with the team. 

The Reds have a stadium built for power, and their outfielders in recent memory have been able to hit it out of the park.

Now that they have a younger group, they have a talented group of outfielders. They are extremely athletic and contribute in many ways.

Reds fans can now look back on the recent players on this team. 

Many of these players have us asking the same question: What if?

*Stats are from ESPN.com*

No. 18: Corey Patterson

Stats: .205 batting average/.238 on-base percentage, 10 HR/34 RBI

After playing for Dusty Baker with the Chicago Cubs, Corey Patterson signed with the Reds before the 2008 season to reunite with his manager.

Baker is known as a "players" manager, and this may be an example of the most extreme case during his time in Cincinnati.

Patterson was brought in to hit at the top of the lineup, but the experiment turned out to be a disaster for the Reds.

Known for his speed, he only had 14 steals in 23 attempts all season. 

He failed to get on base and ended up being demoted before June. Due to injuries to the outfield, Patterson made his way back to the major leagues.

For Reds fans, his time in Cincinnati will be remembered as a failure. 

Currently: Out of the league

No. 17: Willy Taveras

Stats: .240/.275, 1 HR/15 RBI

A season after Patterson, the Reds tried another option for the top of the lineup.

Willy Taveras was a disappointment during his one season in Cincinnati, because he failed to hit consistently. He struggled hitting in every month, and he ended up playing his way out of the city.

Unlike Patterson, Taveras was actually productive on the bases. With 25 stolen bases in 31 attempts, he helped the offense by taking extra bases.

Patterson's run production numbers are better, but the Reds were looking for someone to get on base. In that category, Taveras was better.

Currently: Out of the league

No. 16: Chris Denorfia

2005-2006

Stats: .277, 2 HR/9 RBI

Chris Denorfia showed promise in his short stint in Cincinnati.

He would probably be higher on this list had he played more, but he did not get much of a chance. 

Denorfia showed signs of hitting for a good average, and he has continued that since leaving the team. To go with the solid average, he did not strike out much.

While playing for the Reds, he was given an opportunity to play multiple positions. He played each of the outfield positions, but he was mainly a backup outfielder. 

Currently: San Diego Padres

No. 15: Chris Dickerson

2008-2009

Stats: .274, 8 HR/30 RBI

Still looking for an answer, Chris Dickerson also saw some time at the top of the order. 

Dickerson appeared to know how to hit when he got to the majors, but he began to struggle in his third season with the team.

Injuries kept Dickerson from being the long-term solution for the Reds. He looked very good in his first two seasons, but he could not stay healthy.

He managed to get on base, and he had enough speed to occasionally steal a base. 

Not only could he play all three outfield positions, but he could play them all pretty well. He used his speed to patrol center field and used his good arm to control runners.

After a few injuries, the team gave up on Dickerson. With young prospects waiting, it was time to go in another direction.

Currently: Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees (AAA)

No. 14: Laynce Nix

2009-2010

Stats: .257, 19 HR/64 RBI

Although he was not a full-time player, Laynce Nix saw a lot of playing time in his two years with the Reds.

Nix was part of a platoon with Jonny Gomes, and he was used mainly against right-handers. In his first season, he was a legitimate threat to hit home runs.

He had trouble consistently hitting for average during his two years with the team, but he ended up with a decent batting average.

However, defense in left field was a major concern for this team. Nix played good enough to not cost the team many runs, but he did not help prevent runs.

When the Reds finally made the postseason in 2010, Nix was recovering from an injury. If he had been healthy, the Reds would have had a strong bat off the bench.

Currently: Philadelphia Phillies

No. 13: Norris Hopper

2006-2008

Stats: .316/.367, 1 HR/20 RBI

Of all the players on the list, Norris Hopper is probably the least-known player outside of Cincinnati.

He played in parts of two seasons, and he started most of the 2007 season. He made his way into the lineup by playing every outfield position.

Although he did not have great speed, he still played good defense. Hopper had above-average speed, but he used his speed wisely.

While in Cincinnati, he was used near the top of the lineup.

Hopper was the best bunter I have ever seen. He could drag a bunt with ease or push it up the first base line. His bunting ability got him extra hits and helped advance runners.

Yet after hitting well in his first two seasons in the majors, he could not hit well enough to stay with the team in 2008.

Currently: Out of the league

No. 12: Wily Mo Peña

2002-2005

Stats: .248, 51 HR/134 RBI

While many Reds fans are happy with the Wily Mo Peña-Bronson Arroyo trade, they forget about the power Peña provided.

Peña had incredible power, and hitting at Great American Ball Park helped him launch long home runs. At the time, Reds.com has his 498-foot blast as the second-longest home run (SBNation.com debates the distance of Juan Francisco's home run last year) in the history of the stadium.

At the plate, Peña struggled to make contact. He averaged nearly a strikeout per game, so he was not productive when he did not hit home runs.

Not only did he struggle hitting for average, but he also had issues playing defense. He eventually went over to the American League so he could DH.

Despite having great power, Peña did not cut it as an all-around outfielder in Cincinnati.

Currently: Out of the league (Japan)

No. 11: Ryan Ludwick

Stats: .237/.312, 14 HR/39 RBI

A few months ago, Ryan Ludwick would have been further down on this list. However, he has started to hit the ball better as he starts to play more.

At the beginning of the season, he was sharing the left field job with Chris Heisey. When Scott Rolen returned, it looked like Todd Frazier would see some time in left field as well. Now with Joey Votto out, Frazier will play first base and Ludwick will continue to see the majority of the playing time in left.

Ludwick has started to heat up lately, and he has provided some clutch at-bats. Last weekend, he hit a walk-off home run against the St. Louis Cardinals.

For splitting time in left field, he has driven in a lot of runs. With Votto out, the team needs him to continue to improve at the plate and help them score runs.

Currently: Cincinnati Reds

No. 10: Ryan Freel

2003-2008

Stats: .272, 22 HR/114 RBI

Ryan Freel was perhaps one of the most likable players to ever put on a uniform.

As a utility player, he did whatever it took to get on the field. He saw time in the infield and outfield, but he spent most of his time in the outfield.

When he was in the field, nobody ever played the game harder. Freel always made highlight-reel catches and quickly became a fan favorite in Cincinnati. His defense kept him in the lineup, so his energy level was the key to his success.

Freel was placed at the top of the lineup and hit pretty well for the majority of his time with the team. When he did get on base, he was a threat to steal a base. He stole 140 bases while only being thrown out 47 times (75 percent).

Injuries prevented Freel from playing every game, but it was the result of how hard he played the game. In 2007, he ran into Hopper full-speed and missed time with an injury.

Currently: Retired

No. 9: Chris Heisey

2010-2012

Stats: .260/.316, 29 HR/90 RBI

As a rookie in 2010, Chris Heisey helped the Reds reach the postseason with clutch late-inning heroics. He came off the bench to hit four pinch-hit home runs.

After two seasons of hitting .254, he has dropped his power numbers in order to improve his average this season. When he starts, the Reds will need him to hit for average. Late in the games, they can use him off the bench and have him swing for the fences.

Heisey began this season with a shot to win the left field job. He has not blown anybody away, so the majority of the time has gone to the veteran Ludwick. 

When Drew Stubbs went down with an injury earlier this year, Heisey stepped in and played very well.

In the field, Heisey is an above-average defender. He does not have great speed to play center field, but he makes some great catches in the outfield. His arm is above-average, so runners think twice before running on him. 

He is a lot like Freel, because he leaves it all on the field. He is not blessed with great speed, but he runs the bases well. He can change the game with his all-out play.

Currently: Cincinnati Reds

No. 8: Josh Hamilton

Stats: .292/.368, 19 HR/47 RBI

Based on his time in Cincinnati, this is about as high as Josh Hamilton can be ranked.

In 2007, Hamilton started the year as a backup outfielder for the Reds. By mid-April, he was a member of the starting lineup.

In his first month in the major leagues, Hamilton was named National League Rookie of the Month. 

Trips to the disabled list hurt his numbers, but they were still pretty impressive. He hit for power and average, which players in Cincinnati have had a hard time doing. 

His defense also helped him earn playing time, so he developed into a good all-around player by the end of his rookie season.

Cincinnati will always be the place where Hamilton officially started his career. The Hamilton trade now ranks as arguably the worst trade in franchise history.

However, he did not play at a high level long enough in Cincinnati to be considered one of the best outfielders in the past decade (while in a Reds uniform). 

Currently: Texas Rangers

No. 7: José Guillén

2002-2003

.314, 27 HR/79 RBI

For a while, José Guillén was a very good player in this league. During his time in Cincinnati, he provided a lot of excitement with his play.

Offensively, he was a huge force in the lineup. He not only hit for a high average during his time with the team, but he also displayed serious power.

Not only was he a good hitter, but he also was a decent defender. He made some errors, but his arm was outstanding. An arm like his is extremely rare, and he kept runners from advancing on him.

However, Guillén was blocked by three other outfielders on the roster. When the time came to determine his future, the team decided to move forward with the other outfielders.

Currently: Out of the league

No. 6: Jonny Gomes

2009-2011

Stats: .254, 49 HR/168 RBI

For the better part of his time in Cincinnati, Jonny Gomes was platooning with Nix in left field. When the Reds made the playoffs in 2010, he received the majority of the playing time and made a huge difference.

With 18 home runs and 86 RBI that season, he helped provide protection for Joey Votto. 

For every Reds fan, it is a well-known fact that Gomes was not a very good defender. He occasionally misplayed balls, but at least he was not afraid to go all out for a ball.

Gomes did not have a ton of speed, but he always hustled and took an extra base. His play caught on with the rest of the team and helped lead them into the postseason.

Everything he did with the Reds separated him from the rest of the team. From his trademark batting habits to his hair, Gomes was a unique player. 

Currently: Oakland A's

No.5: Drew Stubbs

2009-2012

Stats: .246/.319, 54 HR/162 RBI

Most Reds fans will probably disagree with having Drew Stubbs this high, but he can change a game quickly.

A season after striking out a franchise-record 205 times, he is battling through the worst season of his young career. 

Stubbs has the talent to be a great five-tool player, but he needs to work on his approach at the plate. Lately, he has been looking at more pitches rather than swinging outside of the zone. 

His 98 stolen bases make him very valuable to a team that does not run much. The only problem: he struggles to get on base. If he ever gets on with consistency, he will be a very dangerous player.

The Reds have put him in the top two spots in the lineup this year, but he has yet to take off. Ideally, a player with his skills should fit in nicely at the top of the order.

His defense helps keep him in the lineup. He does not make great diving catches, but he rarely needs to with his speed. Stubbs is able to track down more balls than just about any center fielder in baseball. Not only can he get to balls, but his arm is above-average.

If (or when) Stubbs finally hits better at the plate, he will lead this offense to many postseason berths.

Currently: Cincinnati Reds

No. 4: Austin Kearns

2002-2006

Stats: .267, 71 HR/263 RBI

After being a first-round pick in 1998, Austin Kearns showed flashes of brilliance in Cincinnati.

When he was healthy, Kearns was a terrific hitter. He hit for a decent average while with the Reds and added power to complement his average. 

Had he been able to play an entire season, he had the ability to hit 25 to 30 home runs. However, an injury in his second season kept him from having a great career.

As ESPN.com's David Schoenfield looks back on the injuries, it is difficult not to wonder how good Kearns could have been.

In right field, Kearns was a very good defender and had a great arm. He also played multiple outfield positions, but he saw most of his time in right.

In one of the worst trades in recent memory by the Reds, the Reds gave up Kearns and a few other players in 2006 deal with the Washington Nationals (ESPN.com has the full deal).

The Reds were hoping to make a push for the postseason, and they were willing to give up a lot of talent to bolster their bullpen. Kearns was in the middle of a good season, and the Reds ended up missing the playoffs.

Bill Bray is the only player left on the team from that deal, and they probably would have been better off trying to make the playoffs with Kearns.

Currently: Miami Marlins

No. 3: Ken Griffey Jr.

2000-2008

Stats: .270, 210 HR/602 RBI

While with the Reds, Ken Griffey Jr. had to deal with multiple injuries. Despite the injuries, he still had a productive career in Cincinnati.

When he came to the Reds, they were hoping he would put them over the top. Instead, the team failed to make the playoffs when Griffey was on the team.

He was nowhere near the player he was in Seattle, but he still managed to put up good numbers. 

Griffey made three All-Star teams while playing for the Reds, and he had some of the most memorable moments of his career in Cincinnati.

He managed to hit home runs No. 500 and No. 600 as a member of the Reds (and many other memorable home runs).

High expectations overshadowed Griffey's time in Cincinnati, but he should be applauded for what he did when he was with the team. 

It was disappointing when he got injured, and the Reds needed him to stay healthy for any chance at the postseason.

Now that his career is done, it is time to reflect on his career with the Reds. 

MLB.com's Greg Johns discusses Griffey's impact on the game, and he is the reason everyone wears No. 42 on April 15th in honor of Jackie Robinson. In 2007, Griffey asked for permission to honor Robinson, and it has been a tradition ever since.

Griffey was a good defender while with the Reds, and he was a good hitter as well.

Currently: Retired 

No. 2: Adam Dunn

2001-2008

Stats: .247, 270 HR/646 RBI

Say what you want about the negatives, but Adam Dunn was a good player when he was with the Reds.

His 1,212 strikeouts were tough to watch, especially in key situations. However, he did walk over 100 times in five different seasons with the team.

Was he a good defender? No.

Dunn did not have great speed in the outfield, and he would misplay some balls. He got too much heat for his defense, and Cincinnati fans overlooked his productivity at the plate.

Because of his power, he had the ability to change any game with one swing of the bat. 

He only made the All-Star team once with the Reds, and that was mainly because of his batting average.

Looking back on the past decade of Cincinnati Reds baseball, most of the memories involve Dunn. A walk-off grand slam (recap from Reds.com) against Bob Wickman was arguably the greatest moment of his career.

Dunn was about as consistent as it gets, so his offensive numbers were always about the same. He had four straight seasons of 40 home runs and 90 or more RBI (including three 100 RBI seasons).

If Dunn had cut down on the strikeouts or played better defense, most Reds fans would agree he was one of the best hitting outfielders in the team's history.

Currently: Chicago White Sox

No. 1: Jay Bruce

2008-2012

Stats: .255/.329, 119 HR/335 RBI

When Jay Bruce goes on one his legendary streaks, there is nobody in the league who is better.

In his career, Bruce has been named NL Player of the Week four times already (second-most in team history) and NL Player of the Month once. 

Besides winning those awards, he has also been named to the NL All-Star team twice. 

At 25 years old, Bruce has the potential to make the All-Star team for years to come.

However, he goes through streaks of hitting poorly. In two different stretches this season, he has gone 0-for-19 at the plate. 

He is at his best when he is patient and does not swing at pitches out of the zone. In the future, he will need to work to be more consistent.

In right field, he plays great defense and has one of the best arms in the league. The last two seasons he has been robbed of a Gold Glove.

Cincinnati.com's John Fay perfectly described Bruce's greatest moment (walk-off home run to clinch the division). 

"

It was fitting that Bruce hit the winning blow. He represents a lot of what make this team what it is. He’s young. He was drafted and developed by the Reds. And he’s had his share of struggles along with his moments of greatness.

"

In a career filled with highs and lows, it is important to understand he still has plenty of time to become consistent.

Hey Reds fans, good news: Bruce will be a member of the team at least until 2016.