Joey Votto

In my projections, I figured Cincinnati hot prospect Joey Votto to get about 225 at bats. My reasoning was that new Red manager Dusty Baker is well known to play a mediocre veteran over a promising rookie. Dusty is of the old school mentality that veterans are better players than rookies and that rooks need to learn to play the game by watching.

Well Dusty has changed his ways. To his credit, he’s given Votto a chance to show what he can do and Votto has made the most of the opportunity. So far, Votto has a line of .311/4/13 and will continue to produce for his fantasy owners. I now project a .295/25/90 line for him.

As for the guy who lost the at bats, Scott Hatteberg will toil on the bench until some team trades for him. He is still a useful piece in the Majors, but you probably don’t want him on your fantasy squad until you see a real opportunity open up for him.