Former MLB star Joey Votto is taking talents to Arizona State during retirement

Joey Votto, a 17-year Major League Baseball veteran, has Arizona State University in his retirement plans.

Not as a coach, however, or in any baseball capacity. The former Cincinnati Reds star revealed on MLB Network that he is a student at Arizona State.

“I just need a little bit of a breather," Votto said on Friday. "I restart school in October. I go to school online at Arizona State. I’m a Spanish major.”

Votto never played college baseball, as he was drafted second-round by the Reds out of Richview Collegiate Institute in Toronto, Ontario. Majoring in Spanish will serve the former National League MVP (2010) well if he chooses to stay in baseball as a coach, now that his playing days are over. Currently, 21-28% of MLB players are Spanish-speaking players.

Votto announced his retirement on Aug. 21, after he attempted to play an 18th MLB season with the Toronto Blue Jays this year. He played 31 minor league games with the club but did not get a call-up.

Votto spent every year of his major league career in Cincinnati and was a Gold Glover in 2011. Finishing as a finalist for two more NL MVP awards (third in 2015 and runner-up in 2017), Votto boasts a career .409 on-base percentage and a career .511 slugging percentage. Posting a .920 OPS with 50 defensive runs saved, the first baseman has his chances at a Hall of Fame enshrinement someday.

For now, he will work towards an Arizona State degree. As for if Votto can or will be involved with the baseball program, it remains to be seen. Votto said that his schooling will be online. ASU head coach Willie Bloomquist did play with Votto during Votto's MVP season in 2010.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Former MLB star Joey Votto is taking talents to Arizona State during retirement