Joey Votto

A quick look at Votto's surface stats shows a player in decline. For the first half of 2020 hit was true, as the former MVP hit just three homers with a .647 OPS in his first 25 games. By late-August Votto was benched for a few days to clear his head and wound up posting a .941 OPS with eight homers over his final 29 games. The change? Votto stood taller in the box and became less obsessed with controlling the strike zone, which meant he was more willing to sell out for power. I'm willing to invest a late-round pick in Votto, particularly in points/OBP leagues, to see if this new approach carries over to 2021.

Joey Votto expects to be better in 2021 than he was in second-half of 2020

Joey Votto says he expects to be better in 2021 than he was during the second half of last season.

Fantasy Impact

"I refined last year. I'll be better than the back little bit of the season just because I've worked on it and I'll dedicate myself to it. I can't wait. I'm so excited," Votto said. To his credit, the former MVP was much better in the second half of the shortened 2020 campaign. Over his first 25 games Votto hit only three homers with a .647 OPS. However, by late-August he stood taller in the box and became less obsessed with trying to control the strike zone. Over his final 29 games Votto hit eight homers with a .941 OPS. He's a name to remember in the late rounds of fantasy drafts this spring.