A change in general managers in Cincinnati has taken the handcuffs off Joey Votto, allowing the Chattanooga first baseman to put a choke-hold on Southern League pitchers.
Votto felt restricted his ability to do much of anything last season at Class-A Sarasota where his stats included a mundane .256 batting average plus 122 whiffs in 464 at-bats.
According to Votto, former Reds general manager Dan O'Brien required minor league hitters to take a first strike, under the guise of teaching patience and enabling youngsters to learn how to hit when behind in the count.
Phooey, or words to that effect, said Votto.
Through his first 105 games, the Reds No. 2 pick in the 2002 draft was on target for the league's Triple Crown since he was leading in batting average (.319) plus home runs (20) and was second in RBI (64). Votto also was leading in doubles (36), slugging percentage (.569) and OPS (.970).
Under first-year general manager Wayne Krivsky, the player is back in the driver’s seat, which, as Votto explains, allows for survival, if not excellence.
"You face a guy like (Justin) Verlander and you're screwed," Votto told the Cincinnati Post. "He'd throw a 95 to 97 fastball down the middle. You’re 0-and-1 and he'd come inside at 97 again and maybe it's strike two. Then, he'd throw an 0-2 slider or an 0-2 changeup. That put you at a real disadvantage.
"That's why I struggled so badly last year."
"He's a classic development story," said a National League scout. "He may not have real raw power but he's improving quickly and looks like someone the Reds can use for a long time."
The Reds bought themselves some time for Votto to develop by signing Scott Hatteberg to a one-year contract through 2007.
Votto's attack on Southern League pitching also can be attributed to changes made in the off-season when the Reds shortened his swing and worked on his hitting against left-handers.
During the World Baseball Classic, the 22-year-old Canadian also worked with his coaches on hitting balls that were away to the opposite field during BP.
A converted catcher who possesses what the scout calls "good hands," Votto may have his best days in front of him, although Southern League pitchers may beg to differ.
- Mike SCANDURA
