Reds right fielder Jay Bruce sat down behind the microphone in the interview room before Game 3 of the Division Series on Tuesday looking as if he had just stepped out of a Major League Baseball apparel catalog.

Many of the players who took batting practice later wore the same grey hoodie Bruce sported with the word “postseason” stamped on it. Whether it’s the postseason, regular season or spring training, one of the topics will always be Joey Votto, and Bruce gushed about a guy, who if the Reds continue to advance in October, will get to show off his bat on the national stage like never before.

Votto missed 48 games with a knee injury in the regular season but showed some of his old form with a 3-for-4 performance in Game 2.

“I don’t think Joey feels 100 percent, but he’s a hit-getter,” Bruce said. “If you were to ask me, ‘Who do you think the next person to hit .400 in a season will be,’ I would have to say him. I’m not going to say he’s going to go out there and do that, but Joey has the ability and the talent level that not a lot of people have because he sets a precedent with his offensive game.”

Votto led the National League in on-base percentage (.474) and walks (94). He’s the eighth player to lead the NL in on-base percentage three years in a row.

Votto reached base in 24 of 25 games after returning to the lineup Sept. 5.

“He missed eight weeks, and he walked almost 100 times,” Bruce said. “Joey’s best asset is the ability to not make outs, and doing that tends to help you score runs. Even when he’s not driving the ball, he’s the best at getting on base.”

Going into Tuesday’s game, Votto hadn’t homered since June 24. Power and speed are the only things missing from his game.

“I would say he’s 95 percent, probably,” Reds manager Dusty Baker said. “Stolen bases are part of his game, and he hasn’t been able to steal, and going from first to third is another big part of his game.

“He’s getting hits, but he hasn’t hit the ball out of the ballpark yet. But would you rather have 95 percent of Joey Votto, as long as he’s not in pain, or would you rather not have Joey Votto at all? He’s a force even when he’s not doing anything in the lineup.”