MLB Awards: 2017 National League MVP Ballot

3. Joey Votto: Cincinnati Reds

Marty Brennaman’s favorite player has once again proven to be one of the best players in the league. Given the Cincinnati Reds struggles, one has to wonder how bad the team would be without him.

Despite the Reds announcer’s arguments to the contrary, Votto has been worth every cent he has been paid. Combining excellent power with one of the best batting eyes in the game, Votto has led the National League in on base percentage in six of the past eight seasons. In that time, he has led the NL in walks while hitting 20 or more homers five times.

This year was more of the same with the Reds star. He produced an impressive .320/.454/.578 batting line, belting 36 homers and 34 doubles. He continued to draw walks at an impressive clip while making excellent contact, with 134 walks and just 83 strikeouts in 707 plate appearances. Votto even chipped in five stolen bases, picking his spots with precision.

The 2010 NL MVP, Votto has made himself a perennial candidate for the award. Although he has made only made five All Star games, Votto has placed in the top ten of the MVP award five times, including two years he was not a part of the Mid Summer Classic. He has been one of the brightest stars in the game, and one of the current greats in the NL.

With his skillset, Joey Votto should remain in the MVP discussion for a few more years. Should the Reds get back into contention, he will be a key part of that turnaround.