Is Joey Votto the best pure hitter in the game?

[missionhockey21]

Batting .362, OBP close to .500 (.485), on-pace for 71 doubles (currently at 31), on-pace for 31 homers (currently at 12), walking more than he is striking out... I could go on. In terms of just a complete game as a hitter, ability to drive runners in, get on base, hit for power, etc... is Votto the best or who do you place ahead?

[zodious]

Did anyone see the AB vs. Lowe last night? He took a full count and never left the batters box, it was ridiculous. Ended up walking.

[love_that_reefer]

I think he is the best right now without a doubt. He is fun to watch and seeing him get inside Lowe's head last night was greatness. I want to see more players stay in the box against every pitcher!

[Prez WilCo]

Astounding Facts, which includes a bonus no-hitter section.1 The human Astounding Fact, Joey Votto, went into the weekend on a pace for 201 hits and an incredible 136 walks. If he can keep that up, he'll be in ridiculously rarified territory --because only one player in history has ever drawn that many walks in a 200-hit season. And I'm betting you've heard of him:Babe Ruth, 1923: 170 walks, 205 hits Babe Ruth, 1921: 145 walks, 204 hits Babe Ruth, 1924: 142 walks, 200 hits1A But suppose Votto slides to "only" 120 walks. Still almost equally amazing. Just one other player since 1900, besides the Bambino, walked that many times in a 200-hit season. And that was Ruth's tag-team partner, Lou Gehrig (130 in 1936, then 127 the next year). And that's it. The only NL players since 1900 who ever topped 105 walks in a 200-hit season: Todd Helton (111 in 2003) and Stan Musial (107 in 1949). Un-be-friggin'-lievable.

Thought that was crazy on ESPN.

[Kingdom]

Mother of God..

[missionhockey21]

That is kind of ridiculous. It really is even more amazing to think that Votto was a late developing prospect, and one that was usually considered at the B level... and here he is.

[zodious]

There was never any doubt he could hit... The doubt is that he could play defense. But as one of, if not the hardest working players in the MLB he won a gold glove and is looking for a second this year.

[Kingdom]

170 walks and 205 hits, I can't even fathom.

[zodious]

I wonder what his OBP was that year.

[Kingdom]

I think Molina severely under-rated him.

[Trendy Bastard]

I really hate that he's in the NL Central, pretty much for the rest of his career.

[missionhockey21]

There was never any doubt he could hit... The doubt is that he could play defense. But as one of, if not the hardest working players in the MLB he won a gold glove and is looking for a second this year.

Yeah, but like an .850 esque OPS bat. Not the mega beast he is. His whole game is so beyond where most of the scouts thought he would be.

[zodious]

2 notes on Votto, 1 good, 1 bad.

Good, Votto just passed Matt Kemp as the highest vote getter in the NL.

Bad, as of right now (top 5) Votto is 1 for his last 13 and 2 for his last 17... Weird to think of him in a slump.

[zodious]

Woohoo! Reverse jinx! 31st double of the year!

[Tobywan]

Here's a good piece posted just a couple days ago on this subject.

Cincinnati.com-Joey Votto's work ethic fuels quest for perfection