Cubs News: Ranking the NL Central’s First Basemen

Sep 11, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Reds first baseman

(19) watches from the dugout during a game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Great American Ball Park. The Reds won 1-0. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports

Joey Votto – Cincinnati Reds

There may not be a player on this list that needs a “good” year more than Joey Votto. The team, which handed him a massive deal and has him signed through 2023 likely agrees. After battling a leg injury last season that limited to 62 games played, Votto hopes to put the worst season of his career behind him.

A career .310 hitter, he saw his average finish at a dreadful .255 in 2014. He still posted a .390 on-base thanks to his ability to draw the walk, but this was a shell of “Votto-matic” that Reds’ fans had come to know.

With the leg injury hindering him more than he may have led on, he left the yard only six times. The power just wasn’t there. He shut it down the first week of July, but his last home run had been all the way back on May 10.

The four-time All-Star has history on his side, as he’s been spectacular for the Reds, winning an MVP and Gold Glove along the way as well. The question will be his health, which I’m indeed questioning – and why he’s at the third spot.

2015 Steamer Projections – .280/.409/.473, 20 HR, 70 RBIs, 4.3 WAR

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