Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto just misses out on NL MVP

Joey Votto had an historically good season for the Cincinnati Reds, but didn’t deserve the National League MVP award.

Joey Votto continues to string together impressive seasons, one after the other, as the first baseman for the Cincinnati Reds.  This season, he was a one man show on an inconsistent offensive squad.  He was so impressive that he missed winning the MVP in one of the closest votes ever.

Votto led the NL in walks, OBP, and OPS.    He was also fourth in batting average, sixth in runs, home runs, and slugging percentage, seventh in hits, tied for tenth in RBIs.  Essentially, Votto was the best in the NL at getting on base.

Charlie Blackmon was an offensive machine leading the Colorado Rockies to the playoffs.  He led the National League in runs scored, hits, triples, and batting average  He was also second in slugging percentage, third in OPS, tied for third in home runs, eighth in RBIs, ninth in OBP, and tenth in doubles.

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For those not keeping track Blackmon finished in the top ten of every major offensive category except for steals and walks.  Ironically, Blackman spent most of the season batting lead-off.  He does everything well, except that which a lead-off hitter does well.

The first baseman for the Cincinnati Reds didn’t lose out to Charlie Blackmon, but rather Giancarlo Stanton of the Miami Marlins.

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Whether or not Stanton deserved the award is in question.  Stanton was first in home runs by 20, RBIs, and slugging percentage.    He was also second in runs scored and OPS, seventh in walks, and tenth in hits.

A few years ago, no one who have pitched to Stanton.  Instead they would have walked him as one of the only effective hitters in the Miami line-up.  Teams pitched to him because with few runners on in from of him the risk was worth it.

Votto was a one trick pony in 2017 as far as the MVP race goes.  He was the best in the NL at getting on base.  That did not make him MVP worthy.

Stanton, who won, was just a prototypical slugger.  He was a little bit more worthy than Votto.  Stanton, however, was also a one trick pony.

It is Blackmon that deserved to win.  He carried the Rockies into the playoffs.  Blackmon deserved the MVP because of the versatility of his offense.

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In many years Votto’s season would have been MVP worthy.  Regardless of the MVP status, Votto’s season was great.  He may do even better next season.