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The Cincinnati Reds‘ 2016 season has gotten off to a rough start. The starting pitching is injured and the bullpen is under producing. The one player who is having a good season but is going unnoticed is former National League MVP Joey Votto.
Votto has taken a beating this season for his low batting average. He’s batting .215, but there is more to that number than just the average. His BABIP is just .269, which is a career low. This is compared to a career BABIP of .355. If he was having his normal success with balls in play, he would be batting .300.
He also still leads the team in OBP with .353. Tyler Holt is next with .340, and they are two of six batters with an OBP of over .310. His OBP has long been something underestimated by fans and the media alike.
Votto is also playing a great first base. He has the highest range factor of anyone on the Reds, as he should as the first baseman. He has yet to commit an error this season, which is a more impressive fact. These small things get lost in the shadow of his large contract, but Votto is still the best fundamental player on the Reds, even if his batting average is down to start the year.
It’s not all good for Votto, though. He has a career low slugging percentage at below .400. He also has the highest strikeout rate of his career. This combines with a lower than average walk rate. Votto is being Votto, but he isn’t being quite as successful.
Votto is one of the best offensive players on the Reds. He comes to play every day and has consistency beyond the rest of his teammates. Unfortunately, the fans and media can’t seem to appreciate the greatness that is Votto.
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