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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Johnny B. Good

Johnny Cueto is scheduled to start for the Reds tonight in a 7:10 PM match up against the Mets at Citi Field. Cueto, who was hit hard in his last start, only retired two batters and didn't even make it out of the first inning. When it was all said and done, Cueto allowed nine earned runs on five hits.

If you're a Cueto owner, I wouldn't get too alarmed. Cueto had been experiencing lower back pain, but that shouldn't affect him too much tonight. If you're on the fence about starting or sitting him, I would recommend starting him. Tonight's game is the perfect scenario for a bounce back performance. Cueto will have pitcher friendly Citi Field combined with a depleted Mets' lineup working together in his favor. Look for him to have a quality start, with the right conditions to have a huge game. I wouldn't be surprised if he went seven to eight innings with two or less earned runs and eight or more strikeouts. With the All-Star Break bringing extra days off, Cueto like many pitchers may be on an extended leash. Remember, the Mets have been held to two runs or less in six out of their last seven games, including three shutouts. The Mets are slumping badly, and David Wright has been at the center of it all. The only downside is that Cueto will be facing off with Met's ace Johan Santana. However, Santana has been a little inconsistent his last handful of starts. With Brandon Phillips and Joey Votto swinging the bat well of late, look for Cueto to have a solid shot at a win.