VIDEO: Votto meditates between pitches in unusual at-bat

One day after debuting his new LeBron James-inspired pregame routine, Joey Votto premiered a bizarre batter's box ritual that's sure to leave opponents scratching their heads.

Votto, whose cerebral approach at the plate has already been a source of angst for his critics, leaned over his bat between pitches Sunday during a strange sixth-inning at-bat against Dodgers right-hander Kenta Maeda.

Unsurprisingly, the Reds first baseman was rewarded for his exceptional patience, roping a single to center field for his first hit of the day. According to MLB.com's Ken Gurnick, when asked by Dodgers catcher A.J. Ellis why he was leaning over between every pitch, Votto replied: "I'm thinking."

Votto's famously disciplined approach continued to yield impressive results in 2015. The Reds slugger hit 29 homers - his most since 2011 - and finished second to Bryce Harper in on-base percentage, while compiling the fifth-most WAR in baseball.

(Courtesy: MLB.com)