 The Cincinnati Reds selected Votto out of high school in the second round with the 44th overall selection of the 2002 MLB draft.While playing for the Reds' rookie-level affiliate Dayton Dragons of the Class A Midwest League, he hit 26 doubles and 14 home runs with a batting average of .302.He was promoted to the Potomac Cannons of the Class A-Advanced Carolina League and hit 5 more home runs in 20 games to end the season with 19 round-trippers.