Is Votto just like the rest?

[RedEye]

On the game thread, there was a discussion of Votto's current OPS (below .800) which led to this memorable quip from westofyou:

17 in his last 2 months.... that's over 200 PA's

Hal Morrisriffic

That got me thinking:

Dan Driessen... Nick Esasky... Todd Benzinger... Hal Morris... Sean Casey... Scott Hatteberg...

Joey Votto?

I really hope that The People's Champ doesn't end up mentioned in the same breath as all those other Post-Perez prototypes (good guys, decent hitters, little power). I kind of thought he would be different, and still think he could develop more power. But I'm starting to worry.

What say you?

[Falls City Beer]

On the game thread, there was a discussion of Votto's current OPS (below .800) which led to this memorable quip from westofyou:



That got me thinking:

Dan Driessen... Nick Esasky... Todd Benzinger... Hal Morris... Sean Casey... Scott Hatteberg...

Joey Votto?

I really hope that The People's Champ doesn't end up mentioned in the same breath as all those other Post-Perez prototypes. I kind of thought and hoped he was different.

What say you?

He ain't Thome.

[HokieRed]

He has, IMHO, simply got to hit for more power to be the first baseman in GABP. If you're going to play a power position in that ballpark, you've got to hit the ball out of the park. Reds' first basemen should hit 35+ homeruns a year from here on out.

[Matt700wlw]

Don't know...he's not even been in the league for a year.

Hopefully it comes together for him

[westofyou]

Dan Driessen... Nick Esasky... Todd Benzinger... Hal Morris... Sean Casey... Scott Hatteberg..

Jake Beckley, Jake Daubert, Wally Pipp, Frank Mccormick... The only time the Reds had a slugging 1st sacker was between 1953 and 1976.

As Pogo said.. I have met the enemy and he is us.

[Falls City Beer]

Don't know...he's not even been in the league for a year.

Hopefully it comes together for him

Hitters develop power last, but a hitter's game is pretty much developed by Votto's age. Let's just hope and pray he's got a little strengthening to do. His size is definitely belied by his lack of pop.

[Redmachine2003]

He has power one of his first homers this year he hit 450 ft to just left of center of the batters eye. He and Bruce have been in some kind of funk I don't know if it is adjustments they need to make or to much tinkering by the batting coach.

[reds44]

Votto is more athletic than both Casey and Hatteberg. Votto is still young, we'll see what happens. He's never going to be be a slugger though.

[BCubb2003]

It's an interesting question. If Dunn had moved to first, it would be moot. You could put Dave Parker in there, sort of. Maybe the Reds have not had enough sluggers in the first place, and have not moved the sluggers they did have to first. Maybe they couldn't afford to keep the top-dollar one-dimensional sluggers who usually end up at first. Or something else?

[Chip R]

You mean he's not perfect as a rookie? Better get rid of him for a bag of balls.

[KronoRed]

You mean he's not perfect as a rookie? Better get rid of him for a bag of balls.

Better be all stars or get out town

[traderumor]

Votto is gap to gap like EE. Not sure if that is going to work unless the slack is picked up by the rest of the OF.

[Falls City Beer]

Votto is gap to gap like EE. Not sure if that is going to work unless the slack is picked up by the rest of the OF.

Well said. And welcome back, tr. It's been awhile, no?

[reds44]

Votto is gap to gap like EE. Not sure if that is going to work unless the slack is picked up by the rest of the OF.

Jerry Hairston is 3rd on the team in slugging. How we lookin?

[BuckeyeRedleg]

There's hope for Votto if you use Connor Jackson as a comp.

Little power (32 HR's) and a .820 OPS over his first 2+ years.

Although he still is not hitting for much power (a very Votto like 12 HR), his OPS is carrying him in 2008 (.914).

I'd take that Sean Casey in his prime-like performance from Votto.

http://www.thebaseballcube.com/playe...-Jackson.shtml