Jay Bruce, Baseball America Minor Leaguer of the Year

by Geki on Sep 3, 2007 6:32 PM EDT

http://frontier.cincinnati.com/blogs/spring/

Following the Reds game today, Wayne Krivsky said that Jay Bruce was named BA's player of the year. Not a big surprise, I suppose, but still nice to see.

In other Bruce news, he was not called up for September and will not be called up, but will be playing for team USA in November and will be invited to major league camp to begin next year.

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not shocked at all

by Bravesin07 on Sep 3, 2007 6:32 PM EDT reply actions

Yep, Bruce a no-call

http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/?p=572

by Havok1517 on Sep 3, 2007 6:33 PM EDT reply actions

I'd really like there to be

another bigtime offensive callup before the season is out.

by Havok1517 on Sep 3, 2007 6:39 PM EDT reply actions

is already up. i believe he tripled and drove in a run today, and was robbed of extra bases yesterday on a great catch by bill hall. this guy just hits the ball really freaking hard. he's very much under the radar, sort of like pence was coming into this year.

by jpahk on Sep 3, 2007 7:32 PM EDT up reply actions

I like Pearce

and he's had a good year this year but for some reason his upside seems limited. He's not a big guy at 5'11 200lbs. Though, if he's moved to the OF, which apparently is what Pit seems to want to do, that might actually bode well.

Still, there are various other players that will be called up when their minor league season is over. Barton is one that will be called up once his AAA team is done with the playoffs.

by Havok1517 on Sep 3, 2007 8:45 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm not sure why that opinion...

of Pearce holds true. There's been plenty of shortish power hitters throughout the years, and Pearce was hitting for power in college, he hit almost 70 XBH in his first full year as a pro with 26 homers (A- and A+), and he followed that up with 75 XBH this year with 31 homers (A+, AA, AAA, and the majors). He's shown significant power at every level he's played, while walking a fair amount and not striking out much.

The only real knock I can think of is his age, and he turned 24 this year, which isn't terrible given this was his second full year of pro ball (he played his senior year of college).

So, not sure there's any real reason to feel his ceiling is limited. Unless a 300 hitter with 30 homers 60 XBH and 60 walks is considered limited.

by beastball on Sep 3, 2007 9:39 PM EDT up reply actions

limited upside

Well he is a firstbasemen, that could be why his upside is limited, its tough to be an amazing player at firstbase, his bat has to be really special, and i think this holds true for left fielders as well

by wir963 on Sep 3, 2007 9:50 PM EDT up reply actions

True...

First base is particularly crowded in the NL with Pujols, Fielder and Howard.

I will agree that he's not going to have any single part of his game be especially special. He won't win a batting title or a home run title, and given his team, it's doubtful he'd win an RBI crown.

But that said, if he stays in the OF and if he produces in the majors as he's done at every other level of baseball he's played, then I think he'll be an all-star caliber-type player.

by beastball on Sep 3, 2007 10:02 PM EDT up reply actions

pearce

didn't seem all that athletic to me, i personally don't think he could play in the OF everyday

by SoCalSoxFan on Sep 4, 2007 12:59 AM EDT up reply actions

call-up

i still don't understand why they don't call him up. sure the outfield is pretty full with dunn, hamilton, and griffey, but why not get him some experience? its not like he hasn't earned it.

by fewgoodcards on Sep 3, 2007 9:11 PM EDT reply actions