Votto's power

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Much has been said about Pujols's disappointing power so far, but we're just about a month into the season and Votto is still sitting on a single homerun. Last season he started very slowly in this regard as well, and though "he's getting pitched around" is the obvious answer, it's still looking a far cry from the almost-40 he hit in his MVP season - and the 2010 version of Scott Rolen, while very good, wasn't exactly striking fear into the hearts of opposing pitchers. His massive walk rate is keeping him a very productive player, so the HR rate can be somewhat excused, but at this point would anyone be shocked if he finished the year with only 20-25?

I know the response coming is "OH MY GOD WE'RE 20 GAMES INTO THE SEASON, CALM DOWN," and I know he'll get hot eventually, but I guess it's worth having a discussion over.

[Maker_84]

He's a doubles guy, not often will he hit a high number of homers. One of the reasons I was perplexed by his contract. Only player that should get that money is Matt Kemp

[Falcon7]

He never turns on the ball, takes way too many pitches right down the middle! I don't buy the "he never gets anything to hit theory". It's BS!

[improbus]

He's walking on 21% of his AB's, up from 15% last year (when he led the NL in walks). The power will come.

[Ironman92]

I thought I heard where over half of the #3 hitters in baseball still had just 0-2 HR (heard 4-6 days ago)

[R_Webb18]

Votto has never been a hr hitter. yes he has hit a lot. but a lot of them are opposite field and barely over the wall.

[DirtyBaker]

Really not concerned at all about Votto. He's not seeing the ball well but his timing is off. For someone in a slump, he's getting on base over 43% of the time and going deep into counts. Sooner or later he'll catch up to it and hit 20-some home runs, but he's not an elite power hitter.

[Wonderful Monds]

Wasn't Rolen around 20 HR at the All Star break in 2010? He was a pretty great hitter most of that year.

Anyway, if Joey does only turn in 25 HR annually, that's still a good amount especially considering he's a high average hitter that gets on base a ton. He'll still probably sit around .950 OPS every year with those numbers.

[Falcon7]

The first $20 million a year singles/doubles hitter. Maybe they should move him to lead-off.

[Krawhitham]

The first $20 million a year singles/doubles hitter. Maybe they should move him to lead-off.

Does not run fast enough

[texasdave]

The first $20 million a year singles/doubles hitter. Maybe they should move him to lead-off.

At least the pitchers would get some pitches they can hit.

[Jamz]

Speaking of Votto's power....he ****ing crushed that ball.

[Krawhitham]

At least the pitchers would get some pitches they can hit.

Batting in front of Votto means +.220 to your batting average

Cozart
In front of Votto 0.370
Not in front of Votto .171

Stubbs
In front of Votto .371
Not in front of Votto .130

[Krawhitham]

Speaking of Votto's power....he ****ing crushed that ball.

Did he turn on it or was it opposite field?

[texasdave]

Did he turn on it or was it opposite field?

Hit it by the smokestacks. It was a shot.