Month-By-Month Ludwick Continues to Progress in Every Offensive Category
By Ryan Bramwell
This is just something I have wanted to go over lately, but have not had time to do so. They have brought it up on WLW and on FS Ohio during the games as well. Ryan Ludwick has been scorching hot lately. Seriously.
April: .190 BA, 3 HR, 10 RBI, 5 BB (.190/.266/.397/.663)
May: .224 BA, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 6 BB (.224/.321/.388/.709)
June: .253 BA, 6 HR, 13 RBI, 9 BB (.253/.326/.582/.908)
July: .333 BA, 7 HR, 19 RBI, 5 BB (.333/.383/.707/1.090)
2012: .257 BA, 18 HR, 52 RBI, 25 BB (.257/.328/.540/.868)
An OBP of .328? An OPS of .868? Heck yeah, I'll take that! Ludwick should certainly be considered for Comeback Player of the Year for his efforts this season. Of course, he'll need to finish the season close to the rate he's averaged out at thus far, but that doesn't look like it'll be a problem. Ludwick is very happy about playing in Cincinnati and has mentioned publicly that he loves the team and the chemistry that is there. GABP is the exact opposite of PETCO and has helped tremendously for a power-hitter like Ryan. This has led to a major confidence boost and he will not shy away from telling you that. He likes to hit home runs and fancies himself as a power, home run guy. He bombed 37 homers in St. Louis and then 22 more the following season back in '08 and '09. Then he was sent to San Diego where he struggled mightily and managed only 17 homers (11 in St. Louis/6 in San Deigo). He then spent the majority of 2011 with the Padres before being shipped off to Pittsburgh and was quite weak that year as well (11 in San Diego/2 in Pittsburgh) as he managed a season total of 13 homers. But now in Cincy, Ludwick has already bombed 18 homers. He has done so while playing a platooned position in the field and not getting everyday starts. Ludwick can officially be considered a valuable pick up for the Reds this past offseason.
Discussing, Analyzing and Debating Sports Among Friends In The Heartland.
At this point, he may be the best bat to put in between Votto and Bruce when Votto makes his return. That would give us the opportunity to move phillips back up in front of Votto. Could lead to a lot of runs if he can keep it up.
ReplyDeleteNot to mention, Stubbs being hot, could go back to leadoff and we could put cozy in the 7 hole where I think he would do much much better.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely. Of course, now Phillips is out for a few days with a strained calf. He re-aggravated it during his home run swing the other night. Obviously he needed to be looked at a little better than he was. This brings me to another point: What is the deal with the Reds' medical/training staff? They didn't notice Joey's issues before they got too bad and now the same with BP? It's interesting to say the least.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, a healthy lineup would look something like this:
1. Stubbs 2. Phillips 3. Votto 4. Ludwick 5. Bruce 6. Frazier 7. Cozart 8. Hanigan
I think you could switch Frazier/Ludwick and Cozart/Hanigan depending on current trends.