In 2012, the Cincinnati Reds offense struggled in one very major way. Only Votto (.474), Hanigan (.365) and Ludwick (.346) got on base consistently. Here were their OBP ranks by position in MLB:
C - .333 (10th)
1B - .423 (1st)
2B - .306 (22nd)
3B - .304 (23rd)
SS - .284 (25th)
LF - .339 (10th)
CF - .282 (30th)
RF - .320 (21st)
Note: Reds pitchers were also above average with a .176 OBP (9th in MLB) but the 9th spot in the order isn't something you rely on for production on a game-to-game basis.
And here are their rankings through 40 games in 2013:
C - .290 (21st)
1B - .455 (1st) - leading all other teams by 37 points
2B - .333 (11th)
3B - .314 (19th)
SS - .250 (28th)
LF - .302 (21st)
CF - .468 (1st) - leading all other teams by 73 points
RF - .303 (19th)
As you can see, the only huge change was in CF. Votto's OBP is actually lower this year than last, but the team number for first base has improved as a result of him having 100% of the playing time so far this year.
Choo is almost single-handedly responsible for the team OBP jumping from an abysmal .315 last year (22nd in the league) to .335 in 2013, which now ranks third in baseball. Even with Cozart's weak bat behind him, Choo is tied for the MLB lead in runs scored (33). Just imagine the numbers he might be putting up with Ludwick healthy and BP back in the 2-hole...
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