Cincinnati Reds Joey Votto Quietly Reaching Elite Status

As the Reds continue to scratch and claw their way to stay first in the N.L. Central, the public is starting to wonder how the heck they got here.

Sure Scott Rolen, Brandon Phillips, Jay Bruce, Johnny Gomes and Orlando Cabrera have a lot to do with it...but it's Joey Votto that's leading the way.

The 26 year old first-baseman from Toronto has put up All-Star caliber stats for the Reds. He's hitting .314 with 18 home-runs and 55 RBI. Including Thursday's win, Votto has reached base an astonishing 39 games in a row. That's top's in the majors in 2010.

In his short career, which spans two and-a-half seasons, he sports a .310 average and a .393 OBP .

It's difficult for a first baseman in the NL to emerge in a discussion of the elites, given the presence of Albert Pujols, Ryan Howard, Prince Fielder and Adrian Gonzalez, but Votto has placed himself in the discussion this year.

How great are Votto's numbers? He ranks in the top 10 in the National League in batting average, homeruns , RBI, walks, runs, slugging percentage, OPS, and OBP .

Wednesday night he hit a three-run homer to tie the Phillies with two outs in the ninth—the guy is clutch.

What’s also been shocking is how Votto has been so upfront and honest about his struggles with depression. Playing in a macho, tough guy sport where players are told to “suck it up” and “play like a man,” Votto has been completely candid about his issues:

“There were nights that I couldn’t be alone…The one night I was alone, the very first night I was alone, was when I went to the hospital. I couldn’t take it. It just got to the point where I felt I was going to die".

That's as straight forward as it gets for a response from an athlete facing such a difficult question. Votto handles himself off the field with ease.

If Votto suffers any sort of damaging injury, the Reds are toast. He is the super unleaded in the Reds gas tank.

As the season rolls on and the Reds continue to beat the critics don't forget how they got here. Joey Votto has gone from promising prospect to deserving All-Star. If Joey contiues to play at this calibur will the Reds be in the hunt till the end of September?

It's Votto-matic.