Biographical

Ryan Ludwick RF

Career Summary

Years	PA	AVG	OBP	SLG	DRC+	WARP
16	3976	.260	.330	.451	109	11.9

Birth Date	7-13-1978
Height	6' 2"
Weight	215 lbs

Age	45 years, 9 months, 13 days
Bats	R
Throws	L

WARP Summary

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MLB Statistics

YEAR	TEAM	AGE	G	PA	H	2B	3B	HR	BB	SO	HBP	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG	DRC+	DRAA	BRR	FRAA	BWARP
2002	TEX	23	23	88	19	6	0	1	7	24	0	2	1	.235	.295	.346	67	-3.3	0.8	-3.7	-0.3
2003	CLE	24	39	145	36	7	1	7	8	39	0	2	0	.265	.306	.485	97	0.0	-0.9	0.5	0.2
2003	TEX	24	8	30	4	1	0	0	4	9	0	0	0	.154	.267	.192	98	0.0	0.3	-1.3	-0.1
2004	CLE	25	15	54	11	2	0	2	2	14	2	0	0	.220	.278	.380	79	-1.4	-0.3	0.2	0.0
2005	CLE	26	19	48	9	0	0	4	7	13	0	0	1	.220	.333	.512	106	0.4	0.0	-1.1	0.0
2007	SLN	28	120	339	81	22	0	14	26	72	7	4	4	.267	.339	.479	106	4.1	-3.2	2.2	1.1
2008	SLN	29	152	617	161	40	3	37	62	146	8	4	4	.299	.375	.591	146	36.4	2.4	10.4	6.2
2009	SLN	30	139	539	129	20	1	22	41	106	7	4	2	.265	.329	.447	111	9.0	2.6	5.5	2.7
2010	SDN	31	59	239	44	7	0	6	24	57	4	0	1	.211	.301	.330	99	0.0	0.0	1.1	0.6
2010	SLN	31	77	312	79	20	2	11	24	64	4	0	3	.281	.343	.484	99	0.0	-3.0	3.3	0.6
2011	PIT	32	38	133	26	5	0	2	19	37	0	0	0	.232	.341	.330	95	-0.6	-0.2	-2.1	0.0
2011	SDN	32	101	420	90	18	0	11	32	87	4	1	1	.238	.301	.373	94	-2.4	-2.2	-2.8	0.1
2012	CIN	33	125	472	116	28	1	26	42	97	5	0	1	.275	.346	.531	126	14.2	-0.1	-5.8	1.9
2013	CIN	34	38	140	31	5	0	2	10	29	0	0	0	.240	.293	.326	78	-3.2	-0.4	-3.6	-0.5
2014	CIN	35	112	400	87	20	0	9	31	94	4	0	2	.244	.308	.375	92	-3.2	-4.4	-4.1	-0.5
Career			1065	3976	923	201	8	154	339	888	45	17	20	.260	.330	.451	109	50.0	-8.6	-1.4	11.9

Statistics for All Levels

'opp' stats - Quality of opponents faced - have been moved and are available only as OPP_QUAL in the Statistics reports now.
Minor league stats are currently shown —Click to hide.

YEAR	Team	Lg	LG	G	PA	oppAVG	oppOBP	oppSLG	BABIP	BPF	BRAA	repLVL	POS_ADJ	DRC+	DRC+ SD	FRAA	BRR	DRAA	BWARP
1999	MOD	A+	CLF	0	193	.000	.000	.000	.352			0.0		0	0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
2000	MOD	A+	CLF	0	570	.000	.000	.000	.301			0.0		0	0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
2001	MID	AA	TXS	119	512	.000	.000	.000	.307			0.0		0	0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
2001	SAC	AAA	PCL	17	62	.000	.000	.000	.293			0.0		0	0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
2002	TEX	MLB	AL	23	88	.252	.323	.394	.321	111	-4.8	2.5	0.2	67	14	-3.7	0.8	-3.3	-0.3
2002	OKL	AAA	PCL	78	352	.000	.000	.000	.335			0.0		0	0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
2003	CLE	MLB	AL	39	145	.266	.326	.428	.322	93	2.9	4.0	-1.5	97	12	0.5	-0.9	0.0	0.2
2003	TEX	MLB	AL	8	30	.271	.329	.436	.235	112	-1.9	0.8	-0.3	98	13	-1.3	0.3	0.0	-0.1
2003	OKL	AAA	PCL	81	360	.000	.000	.000	.345			0.0		0	0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
2004	CLE	MLB	AL	15	54	.272	.329	.432	.265	102	-2.2	1.6	-0.6	79	14	0.2	-0.3	-1.4	0.0
2004	AKR	AA	EAS	8	28	.000	.000	.000	.300			0.0		0	0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
2004	BUF	AAA	INT	44	188	.000	.000	.000	.349			0.0		0	0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
2005	CLE	MLB	AL	19	48	.263	.324	.417	.208	101	1.4	1.4	-0.5	106	16	-1.1	0.0	0.4	0.0
2005	BUF	AAA	INT	54	213	.265	.333	.414	.235	112	-15.8	6.3	-0.5	44	0	-1.3	0.5	-13.5	-0.8
2006	TOL	AAA	INT	134	571	.262	.326	.400	.341	94	16.1	16.3	-6.6	111	0	12.0	-1.7	7.3	2.7
2007	SLN	MLB	NL	120	339	.271	.337	.429	.309	101	7.3	10.1	-2.5	106	9	2.2	-3.2	4.1	1.1
2007	MEM	AAA	PCL	29	121	.282	.353	.453	.359	94	14.5	3.7	-1.1	147	0	0.0	0.5	7.4	1.0
2008	SLN	MLB	NL	152	617	.265	.333	.421	.342	97	48.3	17.8	-5.6	146	10	10.4	2.4	36.4	6.2
2009	SLN	MLB	NL	139	539	.256	.327	.411	.296	92	8.9	15.5	-5.5	111	8	5.5	2.6	9.0	2.7
2010	SDN	MLB	NL	59	239	.248	.313	.390	.257	85	-4.6	6.6	-2.4	99	7	1.1	0.0	0.0	0.6
2010	SLN	MLB	NL	77	312	.266	.329	.418	.325	88	17.9	8.6	-2.9	99	7	3.3	-3.0	0.0	0.6
2010	MEM	AAA	PCL	3	11	.240	.321	.392	.250	92	2.3	0.3	-0.1	125	0	-0.3	0.0	0.4	0.0
2011	PIT	MLB	NL	38	133	.250	.312	.385	.324	95	1.6	3.6	-1	95	9	-2.1	-0.2	-0.6	0.0
2011	SDN	MLB	NL	101	420	.252	.315	.394	.277	90	-3.2	11.3	-2.9	94	8	-2.8	-2.2	-2.4	0.1
2011	IND	AAA	INT	4	16	.270	.319	.418	.400	93	2.3	0.5	-0.1	166	0	-0.5	0.2	1.1	0.1
2012	CIN	MLB	NL	125	472	.257	.319	.408	.299	100	17.8	12.9	-3.1	126	8	-5.8	-0.1	14.2	1.9
2013	CIN	MLB	NL	38	140	.252	.312	.383	.293	104	-6.4	3.7	-1	78	10	-3.6	-0.4	-3.2	-0.5
2013	DYT	A	MID	3	10	.258	.326	.379	.250	120	-0.1	0.3	-0.2	108	0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
2013	LOU	AAA	INT	10	39	.251	.311	.368	.143	100	-5.4	1.1	-0.3	26	0	-1.8	-0.1	-3.6	-0.5
2014	CIN	MLB	NL	112	400	.250	.310	.383	.302	100	-1.2	10.2	-2.6	92	10	-4.1	-4.4	-3.2	-0.5

Statistics For All Levels

Minor league stats are currently shown —Click to hide.

Year	Team	lvl	LG	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	TB	RBI	BB	SO	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG	ISO	SF	SH
1999	MOD	A+	CLF	193	171	28	47	11	3	4	76	34	19	45	2	1	.275	.358	.444	.170	0	0
2000	MOD	A+	CLF	570	493	86	130	26	3	29	249	102	68	128	10	6	.264	.363	.505	.241	0	0
2001	SAC	AAA	PCL	62	57	10	13	3	0	1	19	7	2	16	2	0	.228	.250	.333	.105	1	1
2001	MID	AA	TXS	512	443	82	119	23	3	25	223	96	56	113	9	10	.269	.359	.503	.235	1	1
2002	OKL	AAA	PCL	352	305	62	87	27	4	15	167	52	38	76	2	2	.285	.372	.548	.262	1	1
2002	TEX	MLB	AL	88	81	10	19	6	0	1	28	9	7	24	2	1	.235	.295	.346	.111	0	0
2003	CLE	MLB	AL	145	136	14	36	7	1	7	66	26	8	39	2	0	.265	.306	.485	.221	0	1
2003	TEX	MLB	AL	30	26	3	4	1	0	0	5	0	4	9	0	0	.154	.267	.192	.038	0	0
2003	OKL	AAA	PCL	360	317	51	96	24	3	17	177	63	33	71	1	1	.303	.377	.558	.256	0	0
2004	CLE	MLB	AL	54	50	3	11	2	0	2	19	4	2	14	0	0	.220	.278	.380	.160	0	0
2004	BUF	AAA	INT	188	166	25	45	15	0	8	84	30	16	52	0	0	.271	.349	.506	.235	0	0
2004	AKR	AA	EAS	28	26	4	7	2	0	1	12	5	1	5	0	0	.269	.296	.462	.192	0	0
2005	BUF	AAA	INT	213	188	27	36	10	2	4	62	16	17	48	0	1	.191	.276	.330	.138	0	0
2005	CLE	MLB	AL	48	41	8	9	0	0	4	21	5	7	13	0	1	.220	.333	.512	.293	0	0
2006	TOL	AAA	INT	571	508	81	135	34	2	28	257	80	48	167	2	6	.266	.343	.506	.240	1	1
2007	MEM	AAA	PCL	121	106	27	36	8	0	8	68	36	10	20	1	1	.340	.397	.642	.302	0	0
2007	SLN	MLB	NL	339	303	42	81	22	0	14	145	52	26	72	4	4	.267	.339	.479	.211	0	3
2008	SLN	MLB	NL	617	538	104	161	40	3	37	318	113	62	146	4	4	.299	.375	.591	.292	8	1
2009	SLN	MLB	NL	539	486	63	129	20	1	22	217	97	41	106	4	2	.265	.329	.447	.181	4	1
2010	SLN	MLB	NL	312	281	44	79	20	2	11	136	43	24	64	0	3	.281	.343	.484	.203	3	0
2010	MEM	AAA	PCL	11	9	2	3	1	0	2	10	5	0	3	0	0	.333	.333	1.111	.778	0	0
2010	SDN	MLB	NL	239	209	19	44	7	0	6	69	26	24	57	0	1	.211	.301	.330	.120	2	0
2011	PIT	MLB	NL	133	112	14	26	5	0	2	37	11	19	37	0	0	.232	.341	.330	.098	1	1
2011	SDN	MLB	NL	420	378	42	90	18	0	11	141	64	32	87	1	1	.238	.301	.373	.135	5	1
2011	IND	AAA	INT	16	13	3	5	1	0	1	9	5	3	2	0	0	.385	.500	.692	.308	0	0
2012	CIN	MLB	NL	472	422	53	116	28	1	26	224	80	42	97	0	1	.275	.346	.531	.256	2	1
2013	CIN	MLB	NL	140	129	7	31	5	0	2	42	12	10	29	0	0	.240	.293	.326	.085	1	0
2013	DYT	A	MID	10	6	2	1	0	0	0	1	0	3	2	0	0	.167	.444	.167	.000	0	0
2013	LOU	AAA	INT	39	38	2	5	1	0	1	9	4	0	9	0	0	.132	.154	.237	.105	0	0
2014	CIN	MLB	NL	400	357	28	87	20	0	9	134	45	31	94	0	2	.244	.308	.375	.132	4

Plate Discipline

YEAR	Pits	Zone%	Swing%	Contact%	Z-Swing%	O-Swing%	Z-Contact%	O-Contact%	SwStr%	CSAA
2008	2279	0.5165	0.4590	0.7409	0.6432	0.2623	0.8283	0.5121	0.2591	0.0080
2009	2055	0.4998	0.4939	0.7773	0.6738	0.3142	0.8685	0.5820	0.2227	0.0030
2010	2163	0.5164	0.4743	0.7476	0.6634	0.2725	0.8124	0.5789	0.2524	-0.0058
2011	2051	0.5178	0.5017	0.7454	0.6836	0.3064	0.8209	0.5644	0.2546	-0.0051
2012	1756	0.4829	0.5023	0.7324	0.7040	0.3139	0.8124	0.5649	0.2676	0.0051
2013	463	0.5054	0.5464	0.7233	0.7393	0.3493	0.8324	0.4875	0.2767	-0.0007
2014	1499	0.4850	0.5070	0.7105	0.7029	0.3225	0.8278	0.4699	0.2895	-0.0034
Career	12266	0.5048	0.4900	0.7433	0.6783	0.2982	0.8288	0.5458	0.2567	0.0004

Injury History — No longer being updated

Last Update: 12/31/2014 23:59 ET

Date On	Date Off	Transaction	Days	Games	Side	Body Part	Injury	Severity	Surgery Date	Reaggravation
2014-06-19	2014-06-19	DTD	0	0	-	Low Back	Tightness		-
2014-05-19	2014-05-19	DTD	0	0	-	Thigh	Strain	Quadriceps	-	-
2014-04-19	2014-04-20	DTD	1	1	-		Contusion	Big Toe	-	-
2013-04-02	2013-08-12	60-DL	132	116	Right	Shoulder	Surgery	Labrum and Anterior Capsule From Dislocation	2013-04-03	-
2012-09-20	2012-09-29	DTD	9	8	Left	Groin	Tightness		-	-
2012-05-18	2012-05-20	DTD	2	2	Left	Elbow	Contusion	HBP	-	-
2011-08-23	2011-09-07	15-DL	15	15	-	Mid Back	Spasms		-	-
2011-03-20	2011-03-24	Camp	4	0		Lower Leg	Contusion	Shin	-
2011-03-03	2011-03-05	Camp	2	0		General Medical	Respiratory	Flu	-
2010-08-01	2010-08-01	DTD	0	0	Left	Lower Leg	Soreness	Calf	-
2010-06-26	2010-07-24	15-DL	28	24	Left	Lower Leg	Strain	Calf	-
2010-06-23	2010-06-25	DTD	2	2	Left	Lower Leg	Strain	Calf	-
2010-06-01	2010-06-01	DTD	0	0	Left	Thumb	Sprain		-
2010-03-28	2010-03-28	Camp	0	0	Left	Lower Leg	Contusion	Foul Ball Off Shin	-
2009-05-13	2009-05-29	15-DL	16	14	Right	Thigh	Strain	Hamstring	-
2009-04-29	2009-04-29	DTD	0	0		General Medical	Respiratory	Flu	-
2009-03-07	2009-03-10	Camp	3	0		Abdomen	Strain	Oblique	-
2005-08-26	2005-09-02	Minors	7	7	Right	Forearm	Fracture	Ulna	-	-
2005-08-07	2005-08-20	Minors	13	12	Left	Lower Leg	Strain	Calf	-	-
2005-05-23	2005-05-26	DTD	3	3	Right	Shoulder	Soreness		-
2004-04-04	2004-07-05	60-DL	92	80	Right	Knee	Surgery	Scar Tissue Around Patella and Tendon	2004-03-31
2003-10-23	2003-10-23	Off	0	0	Right	Knee	Surgery	Cartilage	2003-10-23
2003-09-04	2003-09-29	60-DL	25	22	Right	Knee	Cartilage Injury		-
2002-08-04	2002-09-05	Minors	32	0	Left	Thigh	Surgery	Stress Fracture Femur	2002-08-22	-

Compensation

Year	Team	Salary
2014	CIN	$8,500,000
2013	CIN	$2,000,000
2012	CIN	$2,000,000
2011	SDN	$6,775,000
2010	SLN	$5,450,000
2009	SLN	$3,700,000
2008	SLN	$411,000
2005	CLE	$317,500
2004	CLE	$304,700

Years	Description	Salary
9 yr	Previous	$29,458,200
9 yr	Total	$29,458,200

Service Time	Agent	Contract Status
9 y 109 d	Dan Horwits	1 year (2015)

Details

1 year (2015). Signed by Texas as a free agent 2/5/15 (minor-league contract). Salary of $1.75M in majors. Released by Texas 3/30/15.
2 years/$15M (2013-14), plus 2015 mutual option. Re-signed by Cincinnati as a free agent 12/9/12. $2M signing bonus. 13:$1M, 14:$7.5M, 15:$9M mutual option, $4.5M buyout. Buyout amount is deferred without interest.
1 year/$2.5M (2012). Signed by Cincinnati as a free agent 1/17/12. 12:$2M, 13:$5M mutual option, $0.5M buyout. Performance bonuses: $50,000 each for 250, 300, 350 plate appearances. $0.1M each for 400, 450 PA. $0.15M for 500 PA. Ludwick declined 2013 option 10/31/12.
1 year/$6.775M (2011). Re-signed by San Diego 1/18/11 (avoided arbitration). Acquired by Pittsburgh in trade from San Diego 7/31/11.
1 year/$5.45M (2010). Re-signed by St. Louis 1/19/10. Acquired by San Diego in trade from St. Louis 7/31/10.
1 year/$3.7M (2009). Re-signed by St. Louis 2/16/09 (avoided arbitration, $4.25M-$2.8M). Performance bonus: $25,000 each for 625, 650 plate appearances. $50,000 for 675 plate appearances.
1 year/$0.411M (2008). Re-signed by St. Louis 3/4/08.
1 year (2007). Signed by St. Louis as a free agent 12/06 (minor-league contract). Contract purchased by St. Louis 5/6/07.
1 year (2006). Signed by Detroit as a free agent 1/06 (minor-league contract).
1 year/$0.3175M (2005). Re-signed by Cleveland 3/05 (split contract - $203,800 in minors). DFA by Cleveland 5/05, sent outright to Triple-A 6/05.
1 year/$0.3047M (2004). Re-signed by Cleveland 2/04.
1 year (2003). Acquired by Cleveland in trade from Texas 7/03.
1 year (2002). Acquired by Texas in trade from Oakland 1/02.
Drafted by Oakland 1999 (2-60) (UNLV).

2019 Preseason Forecast

Last Update: 1/27/2017 12:35 ET

PCT	PA	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG	DRC+	VORP	FRAA	WARP
Weighted Mean	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	0	0	?	?	.000	.000	.000	0	0.0	?	0.0

BP Annual Player Comments

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BP Articles

Click here to see articles tagged with Ryan Ludwick

BP Chats

Date	Question	Answer
2019-05-17 16:00:00 (link to chat)	It makes me happy to see Bubba Starling do so well in 3A. Why not a Ryan Ludwick type career? (Vic from Baltimore)	He needs a team to give him the opportunity. He'd have to get really lucky for two months to stick somewhere. I'm pulling for him too. (Mike Gianella)
2013-12-10 18:00:00 (link to chat)	Mike, big fan of your work. Deciding between R. Ludwick and C. Parmelee for my last cut in a dynasty points league. I am set with backups at 1b so Parmelee's eligibility there is a non-factor. I have 4 solid starting OF and two decent bench options ahead of these guys, who would be my OF7. Does Parmelee have enough upside left at this point to sacrifice Ludwick's safer playing time in 2014? I'm thinking not but I tend to lean toward younger players when possible. Thanks. (Josh from Philly)	Hi Josh; At this point, I think I'd have to go with Ryan Ludwick over Chris Parmelee. Parmelee is an intriguing play for power potential, but he is getting to the age where he is going to get tagged as a fourth outfield/backup first base type soon. Ludwick is older, but as you noted he should play every day barring a trade or another serious injury. You don't want to give up on young/talented guys in dynasty, but I don't quite think Parmelee fits that bill at this point. Sure, maybe he goes the route of Raul Ibanez and does some major damage in his 30s, but how likely was that career path even for Ibanez. I'd stick with Ludwick there. (Mike Gianella)
2013-02-27 20:00:00 (link to chat)	Would you trade Josh Hamilton (4 yr contract at 30) for Oscar Taveras (10 yr of control, escalating 1-15) straight up if you were the favorite to win your league this year and would have to replace Hamilton with Ryan Ludwick? (stevenst from TX)	I would, because I'd think that if I had to I could flip Taveras for more talent than Hamilton in a subsequent trade if that's what it took to win. (Mike Gianella)
2012-11-13 13:00:00 (link to chat)	Do you see the Reds doing anything on the offensive side this offseason? I expect Todd Frazier to be the 3b, but what happens at SS, CF, and LF? (Rockford from Flowmont)	Thanks for stopping by, Rockford. After watching GABP help Ryan Ludwick to turn back into a serviceable everyday player, I think the Reds will go with a low-cost option in left, and possibly just bring back Ludwick if his price tag doesn't bloat too much. I also wouldn't expect them to give up on Zack Cozart so quickly, especially because he did amass 1.4 WARP last year, even with a .288 OBP. Given the depth of the outfield market, there might be a center fielder who fits the Reds' budget, so that's the position I think Jocketty will be most tempted to address. If Angel Pagan, B.J. Upton, and Michael Bourn all price themselves out of the Reds' range, Shane Victorino might be an intriguing option. (Daniel Rathman)
2012-10-04 14:00:00 (link to chat)	The Reds managed a measly 2.9 R/G since September 1st (29 games). As a Reds fan, how worried should I be? (RMR from Chicago)	As a Giants fan, I certainly hope it continues, but I wouldn't be exceedingly worried. I don't expect Joey Votto's home run drought to last much longer, and Ryan Ludwick should do better than the one he hit in September. This seems like sort of an ebb-and-flow of an offense that (in part because of its ballpark) relies on home runs, and as soon as those start to come again, there won't be any more reason to worry. (Daniel Rathman)
2012-03-06 13:00:00 (link to chat)	Who are your top undervalued targets for NL only leagues this year? (Senior from Lost in my mind)	Just had LABR NL this weekend, so I've got a bunch. Not all went for as low as I wanted, but how about: Michael Cuddyer, Lucas Duda, Jon Jay, Marlon Byrd, John Mayberry, Jose Altuve, Ryan Ludwick, Tyler Greene. None are sure things, obviously, but that's the nature of undervalued targets. In general, I think these guys will come cheaper than I'd pay for them (although that wasn't the case for Cuddyer, Duda, Mayberry, Byrd, and Altuve this weekend in a tough LABR crowd). (Derek Carty)
2012-02-23 11:00:00 (link to chat)	Where do you fall on the fence debate concerning Petco Park and do you think the Padres have done an adequate job in utilizing the park's spaciousness as an advantage? (Venzor from North Park)	You could say I'm [removes shades] on the fence. But seriously, I think the team should be extremely careful in modifying the dimensions. The law of unintended consequences can be a cruel mistress. As for utilizing the park to their advantage, the Padres have been hit or miss. Having athletic outfielders like Maybin and Venable is good. Right-handed power hitters are useful if they aren't Ryan Ludwick. And the team has done a good job bringing in pitchers (Kevin Correia, Jon Garland, Aaron Harang) who look better than they are thanks to the park. Volquez could be another one of those. (Geoff Young)
2012-02-14 13:00:00 (link to chat)	Off the top of your head, other than Adam Dunn in the 25th, who are some other great buy lows? (JT from Michigan)	Ryan Ludwick has been going even later than that, undrafted in a lot of mixed leagues. Switching from a career of pitcher or (at best) neutral parks to a hitter's one gets me a little excited to see what he'll do. I may actually end up writing about Ludwick a bit on Thursday, so keep your eyes peeled. (Derek Carty)
2012-02-02 15:00:00 (link to chat)	Backups don't seem to get any love. Who are the best OF and IF backups in MLB? I'm like TEX's David Murphy for the OF, and NYY's E. Nunez for the IF. Thanks. (Kristen W. from Canada)	I keep waiting for the Reds to give Chris Heisey the everyday LF job and just leave him alone. He's a mini Mike Morse type in my mind; I hope he gets 500 AB's this year although we'll see what effect the signing of Ryan Ludwick has on his PT. As for infielders, I like Nunez (see comments earlier in this chat), but many IF's are glove-first guys so it's harder to get excited about the backups. Heck, I was into Brad Emaus and Josh Rodriguez last year, and that didn't turn out very well! (Cory Schwartz)
2012-01-30 13:00:00 (link to chat)	re: NL Central. I take it you don't feel the Reds have done enough to take over the division? Seems like they are primed for 90+ wins, especially considering how "unlucky" they were in 2011 (Newt from Orlando)	The Reds will be pretty good, but they still have some problems. There is still no OBP threat at the top of that order. The shortstop is unproven and coming off of a major injury. Ryan Ludwick doesn't seem to have much left. The rotation should be solid, but I'm not sure it will be solid enough. And I'm a long-time Dusty Baker skeptic. They probably have as good a chance as any team in the division, though. Dave Pease points out to me that Extra Innings is already #37 in the Amazon baseball books top 100, which is very nice to see given that it's not out for two months. Thank you. (Steven Goldman)
2011-11-16 13:30:00 (link to chat)	What other moves do you predict the Giants will make? Give me something.... Anything (Tbirds from Seattle)	The Giants signed Gregor Blanco this morning. What, you want more? Starving children in San Diego have to make do with Mark Kotsay, and you're complaining? Finish your vegetables. Are there any other lefty relievers out there they could sign? Does the sight of Ryan Ludwick excite you? (Ben Lindbergh)
2011-07-21 16:00:00 (link to chat)	Jason, what's your view on Guyer? You mentioned above that he should be in the opening day line up next year in the OF. How will he fare? Will he be rosterable in fantasy next year? (Derek from Vancouver)	He can play all three spots in the outfield. I think he falls somewhere in between what Ryan Ludwick and Alex Gordon are doing this season....say .270 with 15ish HRs over a full season given how The Trop punishes RH power these days. (Jason Collette)
2010-12-07 13:00:00 (link to chat)	So you Red Sox joy counterbalances your Padres' sadness on the Gonzalez deal? (formersd from San Diego)	There really isn't any Padres' sadness, honestly. Here is my thinking. As great as Adrian Gonzalez is--and he's one of the top players in the game--he is one guy. The Padres had reason to believe the 2011 team could be a bit better, with an improved rotation, a full season of (healthy) Ryan Ludwick, Cameron Maybin possibly blossoming in center with another year in the majors, Kyle Blanks coming back from his TJ surgery, etc. If they acquire Brendan Ryan in a trade to man shortstop as is expected, and then sign someone like Derrek Lee to play first base, then you're talking about a team that could still win something like 82-85 games. Then, in 2012, you have Casey Kelly, Anthony Rizzo, Simon Castro and maybe Drew Cumberland coming up if he continues to tear up the minors. That is an exciting roster all of a sudden, and it was brought about without fielding a terrible team. The Padres can trade Bell and Ludwick in July and still have a decent team, assuming Aaron Cunningham or Kyle Blanks can slot into Ludwick's place and they bump Mike Adams up to the role of closer. The gloom and doom mentality coming out of San Diego after the trade of Adrian Gonzalez is almost enough to make me start a Padres' blog in response. (Marc Normandin)
2010-08-26 13:00:00 (link to chat)	The Jose Bautista explosion has seemingly come out of nowhere. Who was the last player to come close to Jose's breakout year at his ageage, and what happened to that guy after BY#1? (Frank from Vegas)	I should be profiling Bautista soon, actually, so I've started to look into this. Ryan Ludwick comes to mind (he was a year younger when he broke out) but they have some pretty different situations despite some similarities. Both made some late-career adjustments though, and it's worked out well for Ludwick (his production since the breakout has been masked by the Cardinals new Busch Stadium, which is a pitcher's park that severely limits right-handed power hitters). (Marc Normandin)
2010-08-26 13:00:00 (link to chat)	Wouldn't a change in coaches/team have to factor in a player coming from nowhere? Matt Stairs, Jeff Kent, Ryan Ludwick, Joes Batista all went from one team to another. Not only do they get playing time but a new coach that could correct a defect. (Bob from DC)	It's tough to measure that sort of thing, but it's something to look out for when it does happen. Ludwick had the benefit of being healthy as well. Bautista actually started hitting for more power before he went to Toronto--had a huge September in 2009. Coaches tend to get too much or too little credit it seems. There are times where they definitely make a difference with a player though. (Marc Normandin)
2010-05-11 16:30:00 (link to chat)	So far it has been a rough fantasy season for me. I have had 5 players hit the DL already (Miguel Montero, Aaron Hill, Yunel Escobar, Carlos Beltran and Brad Hawpe). So I am playing with a lot of replacement level players. My main question is, should I keep Gordon Beckham and Jason Kubel? They have been in tremendous slumps. and if so, who should I replace them with? Is Ryan Ludwick a better option in the outfield? Please help. (csatte1 from Baltimore, MD)	Gordon Beckham really seems like a young hitter who is adjusting. His BABIP is low because if too many grounders and pop-ups, but he should work that out. Jason Kubel just isn't hitting the ball as hard as last year. Fewer balls hit to the outfield, fewer HR. He's probably working out kinks in his swing, but I can't imagine he's as valuable as Beckham, even though I don't do fantasy baseball so I don't really know league scarcity that well. Ryan Ludwick seems he's just a little less patient hitter with maybe a little more power. Not sure how that plays in here. I guess Ludwick is better especially with Kubel needing to work out some kinks. (Matt Swartz)
2009-11-24 13:00:00 (link to chat)	Do you think the Cardinals would be better off with Holliday or Beltre and a 2nd tier starting pitcher? (jbuofm from Peoria)	Seeing as they are more than capable of turning garbage into 2nd tier starting pitchers, Holliday, as he could provide some protection for Albert Pujols and potentially prevent pitch-arounds to get to a regressed Ryan Ludwick. (Eric Seidman)
2009-09-07 13:00:00 (link to chat)	Christina, can you offer your take on two NL outfielders, Raul Ibanez and Garrett Jones? Both had surprising performances this year. Ibanez has been AWFUL in the second half. Maybe he's injured? Garrett Jones just hasn't let up. When the clock strikes 12, will he be a pumpkin again? Or is he here to stay (sort of a Ryan Ludwick type late-bloomer)? Thanks! (Sharky from The Deep End)	Re: Ibanez, I'm reminded of one old Strat opponent who always liked to mildly observe, "it all evens out in the end." I never really bought into that (Willingham's season is going to look insanely great relative to the rest of his career no matter what, for example), but it certainly seems that somebody's applied a leveller of some sort. Jones might be a latter-day Paul Sorrento of sorts, in that he's always had employable power, and simply needed the opportunity; Jones has helped himself by being employable enough in an outfield corner, but first base is really the position he'll wind up at, sort of the same way Sorrento had to diversify. That's the nature of first base, if you're not someone like Pujols (superstar moving from another position) or Prince Fielder (drafter to be a superstar), you need to make a great impression with what opportunities you do get. Witness what's happened to Daric Barton, or how long it took Carlos Pena to finally stick; if you blow an opportunity, competition for playing time at first base is fierce. (Christina Kahrl)
2009-09-07 13:00:00 (link to chat)	Could Randy Ruiz be the next Ryan Ludwick? (paulbellows from Calgary)	I very much doubt it. (Christina Kahrl)
2009-07-21 13:00:00 (link to chat)	Any insights into the Khalil Greene situation? Without naming names, have you ever done interviews with players who looked like they were on the verge of a Greene-like meltdown? Is it something that an observer can see coming? (Bill from New Mexico)	Interesting question. I almost interviewed Greene during spring training, only to opt for Ryan Ludwick and Todd Wellemyer instead -- this was for a BPR show. I interviewed Milton Bradley last summer, also for a BPR, and while he was very thoughtful and pleasant in that interaction, he obviosly has the reputation of being volatile when provoked -- unfortunately, provoking is a hobby of a small handful of attention-seeking scribes. Hey, ballplayers are people. You have your good days and bad days, and sometimes life deals you a troubling hand that lasts weeks, months, or longer. Fortunately, teams employ people to help out when that happens. (David Laurila)
2009-02-24 13:00:00 (link to chat)	Having answered the Kershaw/Joba Q, same thing for outfielders: who has the better year, Jay Bruce or Colby Rasmus? Or is Raz going to continue to be behind the TLR eight-ball and get stuck in the minors again? (Bill from New Mexico)	Bruce just because he's more certain to play. The Cardinals aren't doing the best job of aligning their talent at the moment, and I still think they should solve that by trading Ryan Ludwick for a middle-infield solution. Maybe that deal isn't available, but I'd try like hell to make it happen. (Joe Sheehan)
2008-12-04 13:30:00 (link to chat)	If you were Cardinals GM John Mozeliak, would you trade Ryan Ludwick for Yunel Escobar and, presumably now that Greene is there, put him at second base? Interesting and highly-rumored potential deal. (Chuck from Chicago)	In general, I would trade Ryan Ludwick. His value will never, ever be higher, and if you can get, forget Escobar, but even Kelly Johnson and a stocking stuffer, you make that deal. Easy. (Joe Sheehan)
2008-11-24 15:00:00 (link to chat)	Who brings back more in a trade Rick Ankiel or Ryan Ludwick--and what kind of package would the Cards be looking at? (Andy from Chicago)	Tough call. Ankiel has two more years of service time, roughly, while Ludwick is a year older. Ankiel can also play center, so excepting contracts, I think he's the very slightly more valuable commodity. As for packages, they could sure use some help in the middle infield. (Caleb Peiffer)
2008-11-07 13:00:00 (link to chat)	I'm not a huge believer in Ryan Ludwick having a repeat performance, but does it make much sense do you think to swap him for Holliday, outfielder for outfielder? (metal1341 from STL)	That's a silly trade. Ludwick is a year older than Holliday. The Rockies aren't going to anything like that. (Joe Sheehan)
2008-11-07 13:00:00 (link to chat)	Lots of rumors floating around centering on a Ryan Ludwick or Matt Holiday or Kelly Johnson trade. Thoughts? (Andy from Kansas City)	I think if you can get Kelly Johnson for Ryan Ludwick, you do it. He's a wildly underrated player, and the Cardinals desperately need to lengthen their lineup. They do that by adding a 2B who can hit. (Joe Sheehan)
2008-09-24 14:00:00 (link to chat)	Speaking of non-prospects -- when Burrell walks, can Phils phans hope for 50% of Ryan Ludwick from Jon Knott? Isn't it time Knott got his chance somewhere? (Steve D. from PA)	What's our evidence that Knott deserves that chance? His OPS in Triple-A over the last two years are around .800. So no, no chance he's the next Ludwick, and the Phillies should look elsewhere. (Kevin Goldstein)
2008-08-22 13:00:00 (link to chat)	Ryan Ludwick: sustainable or fluke? (John from SanJuan)	Funny story, as you'll get a much more detailed explanation on that note in the near future. (Marc Normandin)
2008-07-29 16:00:00 (link to chat)	Mets trade: Oliver Perez, Eddie Kunz Cardinals trade: Ryan Ludwick, Bryan Anderson (skiier94 from NY)	No. (Will Carroll)
2008-06-20 13:30:00 (link to chat)	Joe, you and Keith Law agree about the All Star Game that it should have "stars" who produced more in the past than players having great years like Ryan Ludwick. I simply don't understand how forward thinkers can believe this. How do you justify rewarding the entrenched old boys on reputation over objective performance? It seems to me the same argument as the one that got Rafael Palmeiro a Gold Glove with only 28 games at first base, which I believe you have mocked. How can you justify it? Isn't it out of line with everything else BP stands for, which is generally merit over hype? (oira61 from San Francisco)	You're confusing "objective performance" with "200 good at-bats." If Ryan Ludwick is now a .300/.400/.600 player, he'll make the 2009 All-Star team. If he's not--he's not--he won't. If you don't get that BP isn't about glorifying two months' worth of work, then you have absolutely no idea how to evaluate "merit over hype." (Joe Sheehan)
2008-06-17 15:00:00 (link to chat)	As regards "figuring out the WHY," what's your take on why/how St. Louis is overperforming so much? (Bill from New Mexico)	The Cards have done a great job with a rotation that's largely retreads, converted relievers, and booger-eating spazzes, guys like Braden Looper and Todd Wellemeyer into solid contributors. Credit Dave Duncan, who was able to get enough out of Jeff Weaver to bring home an unlikely World Championship while every other team that's had him since Detroit has been bitterly disappointed. The bottom line is that the Cards aren't beating themselves - they're second in the NL in fewest walks allowed even while running second-to-last in strikeouts. The other thing that's noteworthy is the way Tony LaRussa has pieced together his outfield. I'm not the biggest TLR fan in the world, and I'm still a little skeptical that guys like Ryan Ludwick and Skip Schumaker can keep it up for a full year, but this is hardly the 70-something win team I foresaw. (Jay Jaffe)

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