FACTS/ FLUKES: Ludwick, Alvarez, Niese, Martin, Samardzija

Ludwick resets the bar   ... Coming off two years of decline, Ryan Ludwick (OF, CIN) revived his career with the Reds in 2012, delivering a .275-26-80 stat line. That's not bad for someone who was an afterthought at most draft tables last spring. Now, with a new two-year, $15-million contract, there are again expectations for the 34-year-old outfielder. Can he fulfill them?

Year    AB   BA    HR   bb%  ct%   h%    G/L/F    PX  hr/f   xBA  HH%
=====  ===  ====   ==   ===  ===   ==  ========  ===  ====  ====  ===
2009   486  .265   22     8   78   30  33/18/49  112   12%  .247   31 
2010   490  .251   17     9   75   30  32/23/45  120   10%  .254   34 
2011   490  .237   13     9   75   29  34/19/47   95    7%  .229   27
2012   422 ...

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