Here’s as fine an idea about Joey Votto as perhaps there has ever been: have him serve as the National League’s designated hitter in next month’s All-Star Game.
That was the suggestion made by ESPN Senior Writer David Schoenfield after the Reds' first baseman went yard twice in Thursday night's loss to the Brewers. With 23 home runs, Votto has more before the All-Star game than he's ever hit.
Keep in mind that Votto typically hits better after the All-Star break than before it, and then consider his current numbers:
He’s already is tied for 11th in the National League with a .308 batting average, second in home runs (to Dodgers rookie Cody Bellinger, who has 24), tied for seventh with 57 RBI, second in on-base percentage (.424), third in slugging percentage (.616), and fourth in runs scored (57). Oh, and he leads the NL in OPS (1.040).
It’d be a crime if the guy doesn’t make it to the All-Star Game on July 11 in Miami’s Marlins Park, but he’s going to have to be selected by manager Joe Maddon of the Cubs. Washington’s Ryan Zimmerman had a huge lead in fan voting at first base in the last reveal before voting closed Thursday night.
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