3 Reds who could experience milestone-moments in 2023

3. Reds 1B Joey Votto could experience a milestone moment in 2023.

No one really knows when Joey Votto plans to return to the field in 2023. The Cincinnati Reds first baseman has been very coy about giving out a timetable, and many fans assume that the six-time All-Star will not be back in time for Opening Day.

However, one thing Reds Country has learned over the year is to never count out Joey Votto. Just when you think the 2010 NL MVP has nothing left in the tank, he turns around and puts forth a performance like we saw in 2021.

Will Votto be able to reach the milestone of 350 career home runs? The 39-year-old is currently sitting on 342, so it seems as though it would be attainable.

Reaching this milestone would require a couple things, however. First, Votto has to be healthy. After undergoing shoulder surgery last August, Votto has yet to face live pitching. Second, he'd have to rediscover that swing from 2021 that allowed him to crush 36 round trippers that season.

Joey Votto is entering the final guaranteed year of his 10-year contract extension. There are many that believe this could be Votto's last year in a Cincinnati Reds uniform. Votto isn't just eight home runs away from 350 for his career, but 47 away from Johnny Bench's club-record of 389.

Votto would need a career-year in order to reach Bench's mark. But, if the Reds pick up Votto's $20-million team-option or work out an extension, perhaps No. 19 could eclipse the team-record for home runs.