Full Breakdown
Joey Votto Champions Pull-Air Hitting Late in His Career
8/20/2026, 2:37:41 AM
Votto’s Shift to Pulling the Ball in the Air
Former Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto, long known for using the entire field, has publicly endorsed a strategy that emphasizes pulling the ball in the air. In a recent interview with ESPN.com’s Jeff Passan, Votto argued that modern hitters benefit from targeting the fence, a stance that contrasts with his earlier whole-field approach.
Background: From Whole-Field Hitter to Pull-Air Specialist
Votto’s comments were prompted by an archival video of Hall of Famer Ted Williams discussing swing length. Williams emphasized that a longer stroke generates more power and bat speed.
Data & Statistics
- Pull Air%: From 2015-2019 Votto ranked near the bottom of the league in Pull Air%; by 2021 his Pull Air% rose to 22.8%, placing him among the league’s leaders.
- 2021 Production: The same season Votto posted a .938 OPS and hit a career-high 36 home runs.
- 2023 Highlight: On August 2, 2023 in Chicago, Votto delivered a two-run homer, illustrating the practical impact of his revised approach.
Official Statements & Responses
The former star also noted his recent media work with NBC and his increased presence on baseball broadcasts, which has given fans more opportunities to hear his hitting analysis.
Verbatim Quotes
- “In order to be quick and strong, you have to have a certain length of stroke. I can get you here or I can get you a little further out,” — Ted Williams
- “But now that guys are bigger, now that guys are stronger, now that guys are more comfortable striking out, hitting a fly ball is absolutely the right move because it turns into a ball off the fence or over the wall,” — Joey Votto
