The Cincinnati Reds fell off in 2011 after winning the N.L. Central in 2010. They finished 2011 with a 79-83 record which had them in 3rd place in the division, 17 games behind the Brewers. Here is a look at the things that stood out about the Cincinnati Reds in 2011:

TEAM MVP: 28-year old lefty swinging 1B Joey Votto had a nice follow-up season to his 2010 N.L. MVP year. He played in 161 games in 2011 and he was 185 of 599 (.309 avg, .947 OPS) with 101 runs scored, 29 homers, 103 RBIs and 8 stolen bases. His numbers were a little down in 2011 because opposing teams were pitching around him a lot, resulting in him accepting 110 walks.

BEST PITCHER: 25-year old righty starting pitcher Johnny Cueto was incredible when healthy for the Reds in 2011. Cueto pitched in 24 games (all starts) for the Reds last year and he was 9-5 with a 2.31 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP. He only gave up 123 hits in 156 innings last year while whiffing 104 batters and only walking 47 batters.

PLEASANT SURPRISE: 28-year old lefty reliever Bill Bray really turned into a very solid reliever in 2011. He pitched in 79 games (0 starts) for the Reds last year and he was 5-3 with a 2.98 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP. Bray only gave up 35 hits in 48 1/3 innings for the Reds in 2011 while whiffing 44 batters and walking 17. He was impressive.

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT: Every time I watch Josh Hamilton swing a bat in the playoffs, it makes me think of 28-year old righty starting pitcher Edison Volquez (they were traded for each other). Volquez pitched in 20 games (all starts) for the Reds last year and he was 5-7 with a 5.71 ERA and a 1.57 WHIP. He only gave up 106 hits while whiffing 104 batters in 108 2/3 innings last year, which is impressive. But 19 of the hits were homers and he also walked 65 batters, which explains his ERA and WHIP.