Votto's long list of impressive 2017 stats
Etobicoke, Ont., native Joey Votto has enjoyed an MVP calibre season for the Cincinnati Reds this season. Photo Credit: Joe Robbins, Getty Images
By Kevin Glew
Canadian Baseball Network
Joey Votto (Etobicoke, Ont.) enjoyed an excellent major league season in 2017, one that has made him a strong MVP candidate despite playing for the last-place Cincinnati Reds.
He finished the 2017 campaign as the National League leader in on-base percentage (.454), walks (134) and OPS (1.032). The left-handed hitting first baseman also ended up third in the league in batting average (.320), tied for fifth in home runs (36) and sixth in slugging percentage (.578).
Over the past week, there have been a flurry of tweets trumpeting some of Votto's most remarkable statistical accomplishments this season.
Here's a sampling of those tweets:
- On Friday, Votto notched his 100th RBI of the campaign. This represents his third career 100-RBI season.
- This was the third season in which Votto had an on-base percentage (OBP) above .450. According to Baseball Reference, this puts him in some pretty elite company.
- This was the sixth season that Votto has led the National League in OBP.
- Votto recorded 179 hits, 134 walks and 83 strikeouts this season, making him only one of three players (See tweet below) to have registered more than 170 hits, 130 walks and less than 90 strikeouts in a major league season since 1949.
- With his two doubles on Sunday, Votto reached base 320 times during the 2017 season to break his own Reds' record of 319 that he set in 2015.
- On top of being productive, Votto was also as durable as he could be for the Reds this season. He started all 162 games.
- Votto reached base in 150 of the 162 games he played in this season, which again puts him in elite company.
- The 33-year-old Votto finished the 2017 season with a WAR of 7.4. According to Baseball Reference, this is the second time since turning 30 that Votto has finished with a WAR better than 7.0. Note: Maple Ridge, B.C., native Larry Walker is also on the following list.
- Votto enjoyed an outstanding second half in 2017. His slash line was .324/.486/.502. in 74 games. But strong second halves are nothing new to the Canadian slugger. In 2016, his post all-star break slash line was .340/.538/.564.