DENVER -- Home run totals have jumped this season, with some hitters embracing the uppercut swing to get more launch angle on the ball. Reds first baseman Joey Votto, who entered Tuesday as the National League's co-leader in homers, with 24, has avoided the uppercut style, but he did make changes to his approach that added some power.
His homer total is a career high for before an All-Star break, surpassing the 22 he slugged during his MVP year, 2010. He hit 29 homers overall in 2016.
"I think it was a good thing going through the previous two years of struggles, especially last year.