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Y! MyWebREDS NOTES
Votto takes a liking to cleanup spot
> Do you think Joey Votto should be the cleanup hitter for the Reds?
Monday, August 25, 2008
DENVER — If somebody touched Joey Votto's bat right now they'd suffer first-degree burns. It is hotter than a southwestern Texas August afternoon.
He doubled his first time up Sunday, giving him seven hits in three games since manager Dusty Baker dropped him into the clean-up spot. He had three three-hit games in a row — Thursday in Chicago, then Friday and Saturday in Colorado.
Votto has 16 three-hit games this year, most for a rookie in the National League by far (Chicago's Geovany Soto has eight). Kansas City rookie Mike Aviles leads the American League with 13.
In addition, Votto has 15 home runs and Jay Bruce 14 — the first pair of Cincinnati rookies ever to have 14 or more homers in the same season. And it appears the Reds will be the only team in the majors this year with two rookies owning 14 or more homers.
"His focus and concentration are excellent, you can tell," said manager Dusty Baker. "He is seeing the ball well. He is taking bad pitches and not missing good pitches. He is hitting it hard, really hard."
About Votto sliding into the No. 4 spot in the batting order as if he was born Mr. Clean-up, Baker said, "He is a calm guy, a pretty determined rookie and probably competes as well as anybody. Every pitch."
The Volquez Plan
Edinson Volquez (15-5) has approximately seven starts in which to win five games and become the Reds' first 20-game winner since Danny Jackson in 1988 — depending upon how often he is used.
Baker said Volquez would be given an extra day of rest before his next turn because of today's off day, "But we'll see after that."
When it was mentioned that Volquez doesn't like an extra day between starts, Baker smiled and said, "I know, but he doesn't know what he likes. He's too young to know that. What's in the long run is best for him.
"I have to give it to him, he has been working hard," Baker said. "If you can get that into them young and they have success with it, you don't have to worry about instilling that in them in the future. Once they get it young, they get it and they have it. Most guys don't get it until they get older, especially if they have success without working hard."
Wrong time to bunt
It is part of the learning process, education by fire.
Chris Dickerson had his mind in the right place, but his timing wasn't right Sunday during his team's 4-3
12-inning loss to the Rockies.
With the score tied, 3-3, in the 10th, Ryan Hanigan led the inning with a walk. Dickerson bunted. On his own.
Hanigan was thrown out at second, unaware that Dickerson was going to bunt because no bunt sign was given. And the Reds didn't score.
"He bunted on his own, and we didn't put it on," Baker said. "I talked to him about it, explained it told him. I said, 'You're the hottest hitter on this team right now and we wanted you to hit away. Don't think for yourself. We'll help you.' Hey, it's part of learning."
Quote of the day
Manager Dusty Baker's response when asked about the dynamics of the Adam Dunn trade: "Business has taken over baseball and it is here to stay, whether we like it or not. I'm happy for Adam because he picked up a whole lot of games in the standings."
Comments
By yevsi fyqovsthg
October 1, 2008 3:19 PM | Link to this
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By Marty
August 26, 2008 7:56 PM | Link to this
I tink BP is some of the only trade bait we have for this off season…I love him, he is my favorite player on the team but I doubt he is around for too much longer.
By al bryant
August 25, 2008 3:08 PM | Link to this
yes
By Kyle
August 25, 2008 1:06 PM | Link to this
I think Joey should be the 3 hole hitter, he is the most polished hitter on this team, most consistent, and the best at hitting against both rightys and leftys..ie. he is the Reds best hitter.
By fred faught
August 25, 2008 11:39 AM | Link to this
Votto and Bruce (and BP) will be the face of this franchise for years to come. Votto is already a very good middle of the order hitter and will only get better!!! Go Reds!!