19 Joey Votto, 1B

Reds first baseman Joey Votto continued to send his batting average higher Tuesday at Miami with a three-hit performance. Votto has managed six multi-hit games in May.

Votto is batting .383 (23 for 60) in his last 15 games, sending his batting average from .279 to .322. He has seven doubles, seven RBI, seven walks and 12 runs in that span. Unfortunately, Votto's home run drought extended to 16 games Tuesday.

Reds first baseman Joey Votto had another terrific performance Tuesday against the Marlins, but it was indicative of the somewhat frustrating beginning to his season.

Votto went 3 for 4 in the game to raise his batting average, however he had just one RBI in the Reds' baffling lineup construction. Votto is hitting .322 with a .927 on-base plus slugging percentage, but has just 16 RBI because the Reds have been unable to get on base directly ahead of him. The Reds' No. 2 hitters currently have a .269 on-base percentage.

Votto is hitting .333 with runners in scoring position, but has just 11 RBI in 33 at bats. While leadoff man Chin-Soo Choo is one of the league's better on-base threats, the inability of the No. 2 hitters to do anything often leaves Votto moving Choo into scoring position as the third hitter, rather than driving him. Votto also has yet to hit a home run with a runner in scoring position, a trend that should reverse itself before long, given his history.

Fantasy owners obviously want more production from one of the league's premiere hitters, and they can expect him to improve his power potential moving forward, for certain. Whether he ends up getting more opportunities to succeed with runners in scoring position will depend on the Reds realizing that they aren't putting him or their offense in the best position to succeed right now. 

Reds first baseman Joey Votto extended his hitting streak to nine games Tuesday night against the Braves. He went 2 for 4 with a single and a double in the 5-4 win.

Votto is batting .425 (17 for 40) during his streak with four RBI and nine runs scored.