Votto 2021 Thread

[RiverfrontRed]

I think Votto will be just fine this year. He has been hitting into hard outs most every at bat.
His effort/desire is there and that is all I can ask for.

I think at the MLB level you're allowed to ask for more than effort. Votto is one of the all time Reds greats, but he's no longer a #2 or #3 hitter. It's time to adjust the batting order. No one is ever going to question his effort. It's called Father Time.

[Coopdaddy67]

I think at the MLB level you're allowed to ask for more than effort. Votto is one of the all time Reds greats, but he's no longer a #2 or #3 hitter. It's time to adjust the batting order. No one is ever going to question his effort. It's called Father Time.

They're not going to base lineup decisions off of a week's worth of games. Frankly, I'm much more optimistic about Votto right now than I have been in awhile. He's hitting the ball hard. If he continues to do so, luck will eventually swing in a favorable direction.

The worst thing I've seen around this forum is people suggesting he should try to "guide" balls into open spaces on the field. That's a great way to become really bad at the plate.

[RiverfrontRed]

They're not going to base lineup decisions off of a week's worth of games. Frankly, I'm much more optimistic about Votto right now than I have been in awhile. He's hitting the ball hard. If he continues to do so, luck will eventually swing in a favorable direction.

The worst thing I've seen around this forum is people suggesting he should try to "guide" balls into open spaces on the field. That's a great way to become really bad at the plate.

You can say he’s hitting hard and I’ve seen that a few times. But he has no power left. How many years in a row has he started off like this? Where he ends up at the end of the season is not where you want a top of the order hitter to be.

I get it. Winning covers a multitude of sins. I hope Votto tears it up this year but I don’t see it anymore.

[757690]

Votto is hitting the ball well, but last night there were two worrisome AB’s.

With the bases loaded, he had a 3-0 count, and swung at a fastball down the middle, and hit it weakly to 2B. Luckily, the 2B committed an error, but that was a certain DP if he doesn’t. Votto is notorious for crushing 3-0 pitches, he hits over .500 against them. It’s just one AB, but one that worries me.

Later in the game, he squared a ball on the barrel, and crushed it to centerfield. I have seen that swing many times, and that ball is almost always out of the park or off the well. It landed well in front of the warning track for an easy out.

Again, just two AB’s, but signs that he’s not the Votto we all know and love.

[RiverfrontRed]

Votto is hitting the ball well, but last night there were two worrisome AB’s.

With the bases loaded, he had a 3-0 count, and swung at a fastball down the middle, and hit it weakly to 2B. Luckily, the 2B committed an error, but that was a certain DP if he doesn’t. Votto is notorious for crushing 3-0 pitches, he hits over .500 against them. It’s just one AB, but one that worries me.

Later in the game, he squared a ball on the barrel, and crushed it to centerfield. I have seen that swing many times, and that ball is almost always out of the park or off the well. It landed well in front of the warning track for an easy out.

Again, just two AB’s, but signs that he’s not the Votto we all know and love.

I’m not trying to overreact either but those are the same two ABs that prompted my comment about his place in the order. I too hope for better.

[JaxRed]

I'm really surprised there wasn't more commentary on Larkin's comments during Wednesday's game. He touched the third rail twice. First he talked about asking Joey what he might want to do after his playing days.

But then he talked about the crowded outfield and he suggested Winker expand his versatility by learning first base. Well Winker is a lefty. The only way Winker plays first base is by sitting Votto against righties. If your sitting Votto against righties, your sitting him altogether.

Could have been two innocent comments, but for a guy as plugged into the Reds situation as Larkin, it could mean a lot more.

[Wonderful Monds]

I think more than the batted ball profile, the nearly complete lack of walks is what’s more concerning about Votto so far.

He’s also had a few infield pop ups already in the first week or so, which is very un Votto like

[JaxRed]

Until Votto shows he can hit the ball out of the park, pitchers will not nibble. If the worst than can happen is a single, just throw the ball over the plate.

[CmdrCody]

I'm really surprised there wasn't more commentary on Larkin's comments during Wednesday's game. He touched the third rail twice. First he talked about asking Joey what he might want to do after his playing days.

But then he talked about the crowded outfield and he suggested Winker expand his versatility by learning first base. Well Winker is a lefty. The only way Winker plays first base is by sitting Votto against righties. If your sitting Votto against righties, your sitting him altogether.

Could have been two innocent comments, but for a guy as plugged into the Reds situation as Larkin, it could mean a lot more.

I think he was just suggesting that if Winker could play first it gives gives the team more options.

It’s just sad to see how some players age quicker than others. Joey Votto is not aging well, but I’m still a fan. Unfortunately he needs to be lower in the order.

[RedTeamGo!]

I think he was just suggesting that if Winker could play first it gives gives the team more options.

It’s just sad to see how some players age quicker than others. Joey Votto is not aging well, but I’m still a fan. Unfortunately he needs to be lower in the order.

The thing is he’s not even aging quickly. He’s 37. He’s old.

[zigbeenuthouse]

I posted few days ago he has to be dropped in the order. There are hitters who are better suited for that 3rd spot.

[gagliano]

Thank you

What an investment!

[gagliano]

So is Votto ever going to drop down in the order? I realize he's Reds royalty, but at some point it's going to cost wins.

It already has

[NebraskaRed]

It already has

I think that Votto should be moved down in the order (and given more days off), but this is such a silly thing to say.

If you wanted to, you could argue that every single person in the lineup has cost the Reds a win.

[RedTeamGo!]

It already has

In their two losses this year they gave up 8 and 11 runs. Pretty sure those losses are on the pitching staff...