When Joey Votto talks baseball, people listen. At least, they should.The Reds first baseman long ago earned his reputation as one of baseballs more cerebral players, so when he was sitting at his table at the All-Star Game media day in Miami a couple of months ago, of course he was asked about the sharp spike in home runs in 2017. The speculation of the day and the season, really was about the po sibility of a juiced baseball, not juiced players.MORE: Breaking down the NL MVP race | AL MVP raceAs you probably know, there have now officially been more home runs hit this season than any previous season in MLB history. Alex Gordon hit the record-breaking home runTuesday evening, eclipsing the mark of 5 Yoan Moncada Cool Base Black Jersey ,693 set back in 2000.And as you definitely know, there are still almost two weeks of games left this season. The record hasnt just been broken, it is being smashed with a sledgehammer. So, yeah, feels like a good time to revisit Vottos answer to the What do you think about all the home runs in MLB this season? question.I think that, as the season moves along and you start seeing some 30s and 40s and 50s from guys that you wouldnt expect from, thats when you start having conversations like, What the heck is really going on? Votto said. When theres 15s and 25s, it doesnt really hit home. But once were deep in the season and so-and-so has 45 home runs or so-and-so just hit their 30th, youll scratch your head and say, Carlos Rodon Jersey All right, well take it. So when the same guys are hitting more homers, somethings probably up. Makes sense.I was going to wait until the end of the season to do this, but with Tuesdays fall of the previous home-run record, this is as good of a time as any. In the spirit of Vottos answer, lets look at all the guys with 20-plus home runs 110 of those players as of Wednesday morning who have increased their Miguel Gonzalez Jersey career bests by at least 11 homers this year. Rookies such as Aaron Judge and Cody Bellinger and guys such as Kyle Schwarber and Domingo Santana who have significantly more plate appearances than any other year of their careers dont count (because of course they hit more this year). +18.Giancarlo Stanton, 55. Previous high: 37+18. Justin Smoak, 38. Previous high: 20+17. Yonder Alonso, 26. Previous high: 9+16. Jose Ramirez, 27. Previous high: 11+15. Francisco Lindor, 30. Previous high: 15+15.Michael Conforto, 27. Previous high: 12+14.Mike Moustakas, 36. Previous high: 22+13. Travis Shaw, 29. Previous high: 16+13. Logan Morrison, 36. Previous high: 23+13. Eddie Rosario, 26. Previous high: 13+12. Steven Souza, 29. Previous high: 17+12. Scooter Gennett, 26. Previous high: 14+12. Elvis Andrus, 20. Previous high: 8+11. Marcell Ozuna, 34. Previous high: 23MORE: Matt Olson makes up for lost time with homer bingeBaseballs Yoan Moncada Cool Base White/Black Jersey with extra spring arent the only potential factors here, of course.Some of these players were natural candidates for increased power numbers as they figured out the big leagues (Ramirez, Ozuna and Conforto, to name a few). Weve all been waiting for Stanton to produce a monster year, so thats not surprising considering he has finally stayed healthy and away from freakish injuries (and wayward fastballs).The change of scenery has done wonders for Travis Shaw. Smoak and Morrison have always had power, though it was fair to wonder whether theyd ever finally have that true breakthrough season. The two most surprising names on this list (and in the 20-homerclub) are Gennett and Andrus. Theyd combined for 70 home runs in 6,840 career plate appearances heading into this year. In 2017, they have 46 in 1,094.As for Votto, he has hit 35 home runs in 2017. His career best is 37, and he hit exactly 29 each of the previous two seasons.This is offtopic, but humor me for a moment. The most impre sive thing about Votto'sseason is probably the ways he hasnt put the baseball in play. He haswalked an NL-best 127 times this season (25 times more than second place) while striking out only 75 times. Think Frank Thomas Jersey about that. He haswalked 52 times more than he has struck out, a 1.69 BB/K ratio.How impre sive is that? This year, only three players with at least 450 plate appearances have more walks than strikeouts: Votto (52 more), Mike Trout (four more) and Justin Turner (three more). Yep.