The box score tells the story. For Jay Bruce, night in and night out, the box score has been telling the same story. But does it tell the whole story? Can Jay Bruce play Centerfield in the Majors? Can Jay Bruce hit left handed pitching? When will Jay Bruce get the chance?
After starting last year as a young prospect in high A, he finished the year by dominating the International League. There is only one challenge left, and that is roaming the outfield for the big club.
Jay Bruce was the 12th overall pick of the 2005 draft and signed for a $1.8 million bonus. He was a member of what is shaping up to be one of the most talent laden drafts in recent memory. Despite following Upton and Maybin as High School outfielders, there has never been any doubt about his abilities. He is considered a classic five tool prospect, and has lived up to billings. In 2007 he started in the pitcher friendly Florida State League, and was able to earn a quick promotion to AA by hitting 325/379/586. The plan last year was for Bruce to finish the year in AA. When he got to Chatanooga, he was on his way to finish the year strong, but something happened in AAA. Dewayne Wise got injured and Louisville has a void in the OF. Jay Bruce came up to the International League and did what 20 year olds don’t do in AAA, he hit .305/.358/.567 right in the middle of the Louisville line up.
Coming into 2008, it was difficult to crack the Reds lineup as a corner outfielder, with Dunn and Griffey Jr. fully entrenched. Bruce has been playing CF in AAA and although he doesn’t profile long term as a center fielder in the Majors, he is athletic enough to hold down a solid CF to get his bat into the big show. The 2008 batting stats are among the best in the minors, at 364/395/667. He is also hitting 400/396/720 against lefties this year, which was the final piece to his complete puzzle. Over the past couple of weeks, Bruce has been hitting over 600 with 5 home runs. Look at what Berkman has been doing in the majors, and that is exactly what Bruce has been doing to the International League.
Developing prospects is the focus of the Reds right now, and the IL is not challenging him. Every day that Corey Patterson is starting for the Reds is a day that the Reds are not playing their best player. The future is now for the Reds, with a young core of Votto, Encarnacion and Bruce.
