Votto believes he could win HR Derby: 'Think of me as the Canadian Ichiro'

As of Thursday, nobody's asked Joey Votto to participate in this year's Home Run Derby at Marlins Park.

Maybe it's because they know he'd turn the contest upside down.

The Cincinnati Reds first baseman is better known for being a sweet-swinging, on-base machine than a power hitter, averaging just 22 dingers a season during his 11-year career to date (although he did blast 37 in his MVP season of 2010). Still, he's confident in his ability to turn a pitch, he told C. Trent Rosecrans of the Cincinnati Enquirer - so much so, he'd be more than willing to enter the home-run hitting contest and school the likes of Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton.

After all, if Ichiro Suzuki keeps getting named as a dark-horse Derby winner by the likes of his former hitting coach Barry Bonds, then surely Votto could have a chance.

"Just think of me as the Canadian Ichiro - Japan has theirs and Canada has theirs," Votto joked. "Yes, I could pull homers into the seats at will. ...

"Do I think I can win it (the Derby)? Of course."

Votto enters Thursday's game in a three-way tie for second in the National League with 20 home runs. He accepted an invite to mash in the Home Run Derby in 2010, according to Rosecrans, but ultimately pulled out of the contest late.

If Votto does enter and win this year's Derby, though, here's hoping his Reds teammate - and potential All-Star himself - Zack Cozart buys Votto a moose.