Cincinnati Reds’ 2017 season is all about enjoying Joey Votto and his greatness

After a 2016 season in which Joey Votto had an all-time great second half, this Cincinnati Reds’ season is all about Votto.

Joey Votto led the Cincinnati Reds’ offense once again in 2016 by creating more runs than anyone else in the National League.  It is the third time in his career that Votto has led the NL in runs created including back to back seasons in 2010 and 2011.  Mike Trout has done it four of the five years he has played everyday, but these two are alone on the Mount Rushmore of runs created.

Votto had rough start to the season, but even that was overblown.  The pundits said that the shift had finally caught up to him.  In truth he was not looking at as many pitches as he was seeing by the time June rolled around.

In Votto’s nine seasons as a full-time starter, he has led the NL five times in OBP.  That means he is more likely than not to get on base at a higher rate than anyone in the NL.  He is beating out the other elite first basemen, Paul Goldschmidt and Freddie Freeman, in OBP year after year.

In 2010 besides leading the NL in runs created, he also led the league in batting average, OBP, and slugging.  These are all world numbers and Votto does it year after year.  Last year when Votto was leading the NL in OBP, he once again led the league in OPS.

More from Joey Votto

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Joey Votto is beginning to show his age, so the Cincinnati Reds’ fans need to enjoy him while they can.

Votto turned 33 during the 2016 season.  He had his worst defensive of season at first base by far.  He also had an awful base running season, which has long been his one true weakness.

Right now that is his only shortcoming.  Based on the way OBP players usually decline, Votto has two or three years of elite play left.  That means it’s time to enjoy him.

Four times since he has taken over first base for the Reds he has led the NL in walks.  Demonstrating that he has carried this team throughout his career, he has also led the NL in intentional walks twice. His knowledge of the strike zone is unparalleled in all of baseball right now.

The Reds think that they have the next Votto coming up through the minors in Jesse Winker.  It is true that Winker has the ability to get on base.  That doesn’t make him anywhere close to Votto.  Plus, we have been hearing this since the fall of 2014.

Next: The Reds still don't know how to use Joey Votto

Votto is the best offensive player in the NL.  His only equal in all of baseball is Mike Trout.  Cherishing every moment watching Votto should bring us joy this year and into the future.