Kris Bryant: Joey Votto is 'the best player ever'

In the midst of arguably his best career season, Reds first baseman Joey Votto received the highest of praises from reigning National League MVP Kris Bryant.

“He’s the best player ever,” Bryant said Wednesday, per CSN Chicago. “He’s my favorite player. I love watching him. I love talking to him, just picking his brain."

Votto has a 1.049 OPS this season with 32 homers and 86 RBI, on track to break his career-highs in all three categories.

“He’s not just doing it this year – he’s doing it his whole career,” Bryant said. “He’s a future Hall of Famer, that’s for sure.”

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Noted for his plate discipline, 33-year-old Votto won the MVP award in 2010 and has finished in the top-10 on four other occasions. Votto leads the majors with 99 walks through Thursday.

“I feel like he’s aggressive, but he’s not going to swing at a pitch until he wants it," Bryant said. "He mentioned that to me, too, when I got to first (on Monday night). He said: ‘Your approach looks a lot better this year.’”

Votto has spent his entire 11-year career with the Reds, batting .313 since his debut in debut in 2007.

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