2010 MLB Breakout Player Profile: Joey Votto, 1B/Reds

Written By Todd Farino, http://www.fantasybaseballsearch.com/

• Player: Joey Votto
• Team: Cinncinati Reds
• Bats: Left
• Position: 1B

Fantasy Baseball Search Breakout Rank: #2/30

Last year Joey Votto made our breakout list as the fifth best breakout. Last year we projected him for .309 BA, 33 Hrs, 102 RBI, and 6 SB. He did under perform a bit, but still had a huge breakout season. I still believe we haven't seen the best Joey Votto, so expect another breakout season.

Votto is one of the purest talents in baseball. If he had more speed, he'd be a five tool player. At 26 years old, Votto is in his prime and has over a thousand at bats in the majors. He has remained consistent and improved as a hitter each season. He should improve hitting the breaking ball, and that will result in the breakout performance.

Votto also has a great offense around built on young talent and a few veterans. The Reds offense will improve drastically in 2010 and that means more runs and RBI for Votto. He had 151 hits and 25 home runs, but only 84 RBI. That will improve over the 100 mark in 2010. He will get more support from players like Chris Dickerson, Jay Bruce, Brandon Phillips, and Scott Rolen. We ranked Joey Votto the #8 overall first basemen, so don't wait too long to get him and comfortably pass up guys like Morneau, Youkilis, and Morales.

The True Guru Projections: .314 BA, 31 Hrs, 104 RBI, 5 SB

I feel this player will achieve my projections through our formula based on 11 herbs and spices (its locked at Fort Knox). Of course we are assuming he stays relatively healthy for the entire season.

Check out the rest of our breakouts here

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