Chris Sabo's Goggles

Let’s talk about Jay Bruce.

Drafted by the Reds with the 12th pick in the 2005 draft, the guy has been listed by pretty much every major sports publication as, not only the Reds’ top prospect, but one of the top prospects in the Minors.

There’s a reason why Josh Hamilton became expendable in CF, and that reason is Jay Bruce.

Bruce has won a number of awards during his short career in the Minors (Stud of the Year, Man Amongst Boys Award, etc.), but perhaps the biggest award that Bruce has won was last year’s Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year.  The same award won in previous years by:

• Joe Mauer
• Rocco Baldelli
• Josh Beckett
• Rick Ankiel
• Paul Konerko
• Andruw Jones
• Derek Jeter
• Manny Ramirez
• Jesus Christ

To name a few.

Now, I can’t be certain, but I think a couple of those guys have gone on to do something in the Majors.  

Hold your horses, though (No, Dusty… not your horses).  Should we really get excited about any minor leaguer until we see what he can do in the pros?  Let me give you an example of why we all need to relax:

Brandon Larson

Larson was the Reds’ first round pick in 1997 and supposed to be the eventual Great White Hope for the Reds at 3B.  By 2001 Larson had made it to the AAA club after being the All-Star 3B for the International League in 2002 and 2003.

Granted, he wasn’t praised as much as Bruce, but after four off-and-on years with the Reds (2001-2004), Brandon Larson ended up a career .179 hitter. 

Yes, you read that right: .179

.179?!

I mean, I hit over .200 once using Bo Diaz (R.I.P., buddy) on RBI Baseball for the original Nintendo with the difficulty level set at “Cagey Veteran.”

Now, some of Larson’s failures could be attributed to the long list of injuries he suffered while with the Reds (strained thigh, strained hamstring, sprained toe, hit on the elbow, crushed ego from only being a .179 hitter), but the fact remains he was supposed to be a stud and he wasn’t.  Which is precisely why I’ll temper my excitement about Jay Bruce until I can see what the guy can do in the Big Leagues.

However, all indications are that Bruce is the savior for the Reds… so GET EXCITED!!

One of the most startling things about Jay Bruce is that he was born in 1987.  1987!  I was a year away from seeing my first Van Halen concert in 1987.  The guy has a chance to be the Reds starting CF this season and he can’t even buy a beer.

I’m old.