Name: Jay Bruce
Team: Cincinnati Reds
DOB: April 3, 1987
Drafted: 1st Round (12th overall), 2005
Acquired: Draft
Awards: 2007 Futures Game selection, 2007 FSL Mid Season All Star, 2007 Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year.
Stats:
Background:
Bruce went to high school at West Brook High School in Beaumont, Texas; he was a 2nd team All American in his senior season. The Reds selected him in the first round after graduation.
He began his pro career with the Gulf Coast League Reds, Cincinnati’s rookie level team. He played well enough to be bumped up to the Billings Mustangs, their short season team. His play in his first season got him recognized as a potential top prospect.
2006 saw him start at Lo A with the Dayton Dragons. He spent the whole season with the team and moved up many ranking lists.
He got promoted in 2007 to Hi A Sarasota Reds. He got off to a good start that saw him first promoted to the Chattanooga Lookouts (Double A), then to the Louisville Bats (Triple A). He was selected to play in the Futures Game before the All Star Game. He quickly became one of the top prospects in the game. Baseball America selected him as the Minor League Player of the Year.
During the off-season, the Reds traded feel good story Josh Hamilton; many saw this as the move that would bring Bruce up. He started Spring Training with the Reds, but was sent down to minor league camp before the team headed north. Experts think he’s back in Triple A because the Reds didn’t want to start his service time, making it another season before free agency and possibly arbitration.
Rookie Cards (base):
2005 Bowman Draft Jay Bruce FY 32
2005 Bowman Heritage Jay Bruce FY SP 343
2005 Justifiable Jay Bruce 12
2005 Topps Update Jay Bruce DP 325
ETA:
He’ll be called up after the All Star break, barring an injury in the Reds outfield.
