Votto hitting strikes

[JohnU]

As you might expect ....

All of Votto's hits have come on pitches in strike zone

CINCINNATI -- Reds first baseman Joey Votto has long had a reputation for being patient, knowing the strike zone and waiting for the right pitch to hit. His hits this season have underscored that.

According to MLB Network research, each of Votto's 25 hits this season entering Monday has come on a pitch that was located in the strike zone. He's the only player in the league with more than 20 hits to not have at least one on a pitch out of the zone.

"There's no secret that it's what I'm trying to do at the plate. If the results confirm that, then I guess that's good," Votto said Monday.

Votto entered the series opener vs. the Cubs batting .287/.471/.438 with four home runs and 10 RBIs. His 21 walks were tied with Pittsburgh's Andrew McCutchen for the National League lead and he is third in on-base percentage.

Votto has chased 18.8 percent of pitches out of the strike zone, while the league average is just under 28 percent.

"My only focus is to constantly pick out the right pitches to swing at and put swings on it, not miss my opportunities and do that over and over and over again 162 times, and on to a World Series," Votto said.

 

[Redsfan1507]

Dusty understood 2/10 if the 2 were homers. Some people think if you chase 4 out if the zone, they'll be homers too. Pitchers like that thought. Some people think if Votto walks, and the next guy hits into a DP, Votto is the one that failed. I don't get that.

 

[JohnU]

I'd wager Votto would be more adventuresome if he could actually predict that 3 or 4 others in the lineup could do something other than get an accidental double down the left field line.

 

[Redsfan1507]

I think he understands all he can do is be the best he can be. The others need to try same.