I think both Votto and Hatte are serviceable, and sometimes excellent, fielders at 1st base. I saw Hatte pick up a grass cutter with a back handed stab to his right, come to his knees, and throw out the runner at first...looked great!
I've seen Votto instinctively pick off enough liners to make me wonder how he'd play at 3rd base. Just a few days ago, I saw Bako catch a sleeping Orlando Hudson on a quick pickoff after the pitch, which he absolutely sizzled down to first. Votto caught the ball on his left (both he and Hatte throw right-handed) and drop flat to his back while applying a seemingly blind sweep tag to the runner, now above his head. Fantastic throw, fantastic tag.
Also, I think both guys have proven over a longer period of time than the first week, that they CAN hit Major League pitching. Maybe they won't come around, but I'm guessing they will. Part of the problem may be that neither of them can get enough time on the field to get into a groove.
None of this takes away from Kepp, though. I agree he's a great hitter and solid fielder and needs to play every day. I think he can do that SuperSubbing.
The rest of the subjects have been piled on enough, I think. Let me just say thanks Hap for sharing your views. I appreciate a first person account of the action.