Duda was a regular player only in August and September. The rest of the time he was thrown in but did not get regular ABs!

his BA in the first half was .229, His second half is where all the numbers were made and after he played regularly!

In a half of a season the Pitchers did not really have a lot of time and ABs to adjust to him and find a weakness! In September you also face more AAA Callups than regular starters as only the playoff teams keep their regular rotation at that time.

Now I’m not suggesting Duda can’t be as good as Votto nor am I suggesting he can’t be even better!

But I am cautioning that what we saw may be reduced a bit this year when the starters in the league have had more time to work him, had more time to find his weak spot, more time to adjust to him and force him to make an adjustment to compensate!

How fast he can adjust when that happens will determine how well he does this year. If he has an extended slump the way Davis did when he first came up that near .300 BA will drop!

I project him as a .280 hitter on average with 30+ HRs and his OBP will be high because he has the eye but also because of those HR threats!

Plenty good if you ask me!
Even if he’s not another Votto!

Some people might freak out and wilt under pressure. But that doesn’t seem like Duda’s personality – the whole stressed out freaking out type. Most likely, I think Duda will do what most of us will do in a similar situation – say thanks boss, and go about his business knowing that not doing his job adequately will mean riding the pine inevitably.

I actually hate when those in the business compare a young prospect or rookie to some established star.

*sigh*

A- I said they could win between 84-93 games last season if things went their way. Unfortunately, lack of fundamentals, injuries, and pitching put a monkey wrench in that.

B- I expected big things from Thole the way he swung the bat coming out of PSL. Maybe it was excitement coming in, but I admit I was wrong. Reminds me of when people get hyped about Butch Huskey that one year when he tore it up out of ST. I’ll be the bigger man here…which I cant say for others here.

Glad someone caught my comment. Thanks Joe

One thing that should be pointed out is that Votto hits LHP almost as well as RHP. For his career Votto is .306/.391/.508 against southpaws. That has such an effect on his lineup it’s unreal.

In his first full season he hit LHP .292/.365/.497 against lefty’s (almost the same as vs. RHP)

Duda hit .274/.328/.387 in his first season (2011) and while those numbers aren’t bad they will get him the additional late inning lefty that Votto has handled well right from the start.

Very fair aspiration for Duda/Alderson but it’s really dependent on how he handles same handed pitching.

He does go very nicely down the LF line against them so as long as he doesn’t try to do too much, too often I’d say he’s got a great chance and don’t forget the difference between their home ball parks either or the fact that Votto’s 28 entering his 5th full season and Duda’s 26 entering his first full one.

A few differences there but not enough to keep you from hoping.

Joey Votto is a very good offensive player. I’m hoping Duda is comparable to Vaughn when he has a bat in his hand. But Votto’s defense is mechanical. Let’s see if Duda is better defensively. Both of them need further development.

Glad to see we have a mutual admiration of Cory Vaughn, though.