Joey Votto – Padre Killer

At the start of each series, we at Chicken Friars will zero in on an opposing player known to be a “Padre Killer.” No matter the day, time or place, this player is known to be a one-man wrecking crew when it comes to playing against the San Diego Padres.

In this column, I will analyze that player’s statistics against the Friars and try to offer some insight into how not to let that player beat our beloved team..

The Padres and Reds pulled off a blockbuster trade in the off-season that saw five players- Mat Latos, Edinson Volquez, Yonder Alonso, Yasmani Grandal and Brad Boxberger– change uniforms. Now these players (except for Boxberger who is in Triple-A) will finally meet on the field as the Padres square off against the Cincinnati Reds for a four-game set at Petco Park.

While baseball pundits covering the series will likely talk mainly about who got the better deal, the Padres have other things to worry about-such as stopping Joey Votto, the 2010 National League MVP.

Although Votto has only played in 25 career games against the Padres, he is legitimately a Padre Killer.

Here is how the Reds’ first-baseman stacks up against the Friars:

Votto kills the Padres at Petco Park. In 12 career games played at Petco, Votto owns a .400 batting average with four home runs and 11 RBIs. He also owns a .750 slugging percentage.

Votto is one of the most consistent hitters in all of Major League Baseball. If I were the Padres, I would just walk him every chance I got. He is just too dangerous of a hitter.  It is no coincidence that Votto led all of Major League Baseball in walks last year with 110.

Statistics Courtesy of: Baseball Reference