Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto was named a finalist for the Hank Aaron Award, given out each year to the top offensive performer in each league. Votto was also a finalist last season, and won in 2010.
The 34-year-old Votto is coming off perhaps his best-ever year at the plate, leading the National League in walks (134), on-base percentage (.454), on-base-plus-slugging percentage (1.032), weighted OPS (168) and weighted runs created (165).
Votto's top competition would figure to be Miami Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton, who led the majors with 59 home runs. The NL MVP award likely will come down to that pair as well.