1B – Joey Votto – Cincinnati Reds

Joey Votto is really a hot button player this year. Some really love him, while others want no parts of him. I think I’m somewhere in the middle. 

I understand the concern since Votto ’s career highs in runs (82), HRs (25), and RBIs (84) by no means scream fantasy starting first basemen. I can’t fault you if his mysterious absence last year has you concerned. Nor can I fault you if you think he’s overvalued given an ADP that puts him in the early third round. Personally I have him as my 9th ranked 1B.

Putting all of that aside, I love his potential. He’s a career .310 hitter with a .924 OPS. While he’s not a prototypical power hitter, he has hit 49 homers the past two years with 70 doubles. The addition of Orlando Cabrera to the line-up should lead to more RBI opportunities. 

While he plays in a hitter’s park, if you take a look at the numbers below, he is equally as effective on the road.

Home:  528 AB, 86 R, 160 H, 31 2B, 3 3B, 32 HR, 99 RBI, .303 BA, .939 OPS
Away:  551 AB, 76 R, 174 H, 46 2B, 1 3B, 21 HR, 86 RBI, .316 BA, .909 OPS

In addition, he has picked apart his division to the tune of .317 with 32 HRs and 99 RBIs in 156 games.

Joey Votto Predication:

Votto will turn 27 in September and will be in his third full year in the big leagues this season. If anyone has breakout potential written all over them, it’s Votto. That doesn’t mean I think you should take him early in the third round, but I would have no problem if he slipped to the 4th, even if I had him penciled in for my IF slot.

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