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Cincinnati Reds 2016 Season In Review

By Benjamin Chase

Aug 22, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Josh Smith (right) stands at the mound as Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Rob Segedin (left) rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run during the fifth inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 22, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Josh Smith (right) stands at the mound as Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Rob Segedin (left) rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run during the fifth inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 10, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto (19) hits a solo home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the ninth inning at PNC Park. The Reds won 8-7. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto (19) hits a solo home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the ninth inning at PNC Park. The Reds won 8-7. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Hitters

Joey Votto had a tremendous season, especially his second half. Overall, his line was .326/.434/.550 with 29 home runs. With nearly nothing to support him in the Reds lineup in the second half, his performance is even the more impressive. He even stole 8 bases. With nearly no one on base for him, he found a way to drive in 97 runs. Yes, he’s now a $20M man as his long contract with the team first hit that level this season, but at the very least he produced at that level this year.

On the opposite end, Adam Duvall came out in the first half and hit monstrous home runs on his way to a 33 home run season. Overall, Duvall hit .241/.397/.498 on the season, but his first half was .249/.288/.551 with 23 home runs. The second half was better as far as his walk rate and Duvall did reduce his strikeout rate, but he also hit 10 home runs, so less than half the home runs as the first half of the season.

Billy Hamilton started slow, but he took off in June and by the time he ended up on the DL for the end of the season in mid-September, he ended up with 58 stolen bases (and only 8 caught stealing). His defense was impressive, to say the least. His move from shortstop to center field has been successful in general, but in the view of many in baseball, Hamilton took a major step forward this year from an already solid base.

Eugenio Suarez followed Duvall’s lead in the first half and ended the season with 21 home runs, establishing himself as an infield starter. Interestingly, Suarez had a higher slugging percentage in the second half, but he had 15 home runs in the first half and only 6 in the second half. He also stole 11 bases.

Jose Peraza came off the bench all year, but he got hot in the second half, and his final numbers looked very solid. His slash line was .324/.352/.411. Peraza was acquired by the Reds in the three-team deal with the Dodgers and the White Sox that sent away Todd Frazier. Peraza rode a near-.400 BABIP to a second half line of .355/.380/.477. Peraza played short, second, center, and left on the season, so finding a defensive position will be important for Peraza going forward, but after dropping in value from the time he was an elite prospect in the Braves system 2-3 years ago, Peraza has come a long way this year. Peraza did have a disturbing 1/3 caught stealing rate, stealing 21 bases and getting caught 10 times.

Last, Jay Bruce established his trade value well enough to be moved to the Mets by hitting .265/.316/.559 with 25 home runs before being traded for Dilson Herrera and Max Wotell. Bruce had a 2017 option at $13M, but they were able to trade him this season due to his excellent hitting before he was traded.

On the down side, injuries ended Zack Cozart‘s season early and knocked out Devin Mesoraco for all but 16 games.

Next: Pitchers

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