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The one angle where the Cincinnati Reds offense excelled

Despite a season defined by offensive struggles, the Cincinnati Reds carved out one standout metric: they led Major League Baseball in average launch angle, posting a collective 16.2 degrees. While teams like the Chicago Cubs (15.9) and New York Yankees (15.4) also excelled in this category, the Reds’ dominance was striking given their overall weak performance—ranking dead last in team wRC+ at just 91.

Their approach to hitting, whether intentional or coincidental, placed them ahead of even powerhouse lineups. The Reds also ranked fourth in launch angle sweet-spot percentage (8–32 degrees) and average exit velocity, suggesting they hit line drives with more authority than most teams.

However, their low number of batted-ball events (3,893, nearly 500 fewer than the league-leading Tampa Bay Rays) underscores that their offensive challenges extended beyond just launch angle alone.

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