3. Joey Votto – Cincinnati Reds
After missing the majority of the 2014 season, Votto burst back onto the scene for the Reds last year. He was so impressive, many considered him a top MVP candidate a year ago.
The most impressive thing about Votto’s 2015 season is the fact he reached base at a .459 clip. With a patient approach and a surprising ability to hit for contact from a power hitter, Votto reaches base nearly half the time. Almost nobody else in the league is able to do that.
Votto doesn’t have a ton of help in a weak Reds lineup, but that won’t matter for him as much as other hitters. Since he’s so patient, even when pitchers pitch around him, he will simply take his walks. Either pitchers go after him and risk getting burned or they pitch around him and put him on base.
It’s Votto’s ability to play with a pitcher’s head in that way that makes him a truly special presence at the plate.