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5 Greatest Cincinnati Reds Pitchers of All Time

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5 Greatest Cincinnati Reds Pitchers of All Time

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Scott Boeck | Last updated Aug 10, 2026 6:23 AM ET

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The Cincinnati Reds were baseball’s first professional team, established in 1869, and they were a charter member of the National League in 1876.

But despite the franchise’s storied history, the Reds’ long list of pitchers features some of the least notable names among Major League teams.

Unlike the Reds’ five greatest hitters, where names such as Pete Rose, Johnny Bench, and Joe Morgan are easy to identify, naming the franchise’s five greatest pitchers is a much more challenging task.

Here are the top five, in our estimation.

5. Dolf Luque (1918-1929)

Known as the “Pride of Havana,” Dolf Luque was the first major Latin American star in the majors.

The Cuban right-hander was also the first Latin American pitcher to lead the majors in wins, winning percentage, shutouts, and ERA.

Luque ranks fifth in Reds franchise history in wins (154), second in innings pitched (2,668⅔), third in games started (321), and eighth in complete games (183). He was also a member of the 1919 Reds team that won the World Series.

4. Jose Rijo (1988-95, 2001-02)

José Rijo was the anchor of the Reds’ 1990 World Series championship team. He won two games and earned World Series MVP honors as Cincinnati swept the Oakland Athletics — the same team that had traded him to the Reds.

From 1988 through 1993, Rijo posted an ERA below 3.00 in each season as a starter. The three-time All-Star ranks second in Reds franchise history with 1,449 strikeouts.

In 2001, after six years away from the majors, Rijo returned to the Reds and pitched effectively both out of the bullpen and as a starter through 2002 before retiring.

3. Bucky Walters (1938-1948)

Reds pitcher Bucky Walters won the National League MVP award in 1939. Cincinnati Enquirer via Imagn Images

Bucky Walters is a name many fans may not recognize, but he was a star pitcher — and a part-time third baseman.

Walters won the NL MVP Award in 1939, capturing the Triple Crown with 27 wins, a 2.29 ERA, and 137 strikeouts. The right-hander also finished third in MVP voting in 1940 when he helped lead the Reds to a World Series championship.

Among the Reds’ franchise leaders, Walters ranks first with 32 career shutouts, fourth in complete games (195) and wins (160), and fifth with 2,355⅓ innings pitched.

2. Noodles Hahn (1899-1905)

His name itself is legendary.

Noodles Hahn dominated the turn of the 20th century. He tossed a no-hitter during his rookie season, led the National League in strikeouts in each of his first three seasons, and won 20 or more games four times in his first five seasons.

In 1901, Hahn won 22 games for a Reds team that won only 30 other games. That remains the highest percentage of a team’s total victories accounted for by one pitcher, until Steve Carlton won 27 of Philadelphia’s 59 games in 1972.

Hahn is also the second-youngest pitcher, behind Bob Feller, to reach 100 career wins, accomplishing the feat at age 24.

1. Eppa Rixey (1921-1933)

The Hall of Fame left-hander was one of the most dominant pitchers of his era. Eppa Rixey, who joined the Reds in 1921 at age 30, holds the franchise records for wins (179) and innings pitched (2,890⅔). He also ranks second among Reds pitchers with a 40.9 WAR across 13 seasons.

When Rixey’s career ended at age 42, he was the winningest left-handed pitcher in major league history, holding the record until Warren Spahn surpassed him in 1959.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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