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While some have prematurely given players like Paul Goldschmidt the title of best first baseman in baseball, Joey Votto not only continues to dominate at the position for the Cincinnati Reds, he has the right to call himself the best at the position in baseball after the consistency he has shown.
Here are five reasons why Votto is the best first baseman in MLB.
5. Career Average
Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports5. Career Average
Batting average is still one of the most useful stats to judge a player’s skill at the plate. Votto has a career average of .311, which puts him at fifth among the active leaders. He has hit over .300 in all but two seasons in his career.
4. Assists at First Base
Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports4. Assists at First Base
Votto might not have the style that Brandon Phillips has on defense, but he is one of the most reliable in the NL at first base. He has led the NL four of the last five seasons in assists at first base. His career fielding percentage is .993.
3. Walks
Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports3. Walks
Votto must scare opposing pitchers, because he has led the league in walks four of the last five years. The only outlier, 2014, saw Votto only play 62 games ... and he still drew 47 walks.
2. On-Base Percentage
Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports2. On-Base Percentage
Votto is an on-base machine, leading the NL in OBP in four of the last six years (and coming in second in one other). Not only that, but Votto is the current active on-base percentage leader and 14th all-time with a .423 OBP.
1. Loyalty
Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports1. Loyalty
Votto essentially signed a lifetime contract with the Reds in 2012 with a no-trade clause in the deal. It was brought up this offseason that Votto could be a good trade piece, but the star quickly said he would not waive his no-trade clause.
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