I will always have a soft spot for Jay Bruce.
Bruce was the 12th overall pick of the Reds in 2005, and would quickly become one of the best prospects in baseball.
- From 2005-2007 he was one of the Reds Top 3 prospects
- In 2007 he has ranked the #1 prospect in all of baseball
He has certainly had a good career, though maybe not quite as good as some thought he would have. Still, his resume is nothing to be ashamed of.
- 3 x All-Star selections
- 2 x Silver Slugger
- 2 x Top-10 in MVP voting
- 8 x Seasons with an OPS+ north of 101
- 10 x seasons with at least 20 HR
Of course, I will remember him most for his brief stay with the Cleveland Indians. He came over in 2017 to the help the Tribe for their playoff run.
- In roughly a half-season in Cleveland, he hit .248/.331/.477 with 7 HR. Good for an OPS+ of 108.
- He also walked off the Kansas City Royals on September 15, 2017. It was an extra-innings double that sealed the Indians 22nd win in a row.
- His performance in the play-offs was pretty decent too–which was nice considering so many other Indians scuffled.
That team might have totally pooped the bed in the playoffs, but Bruce and Austin Jackson were some one-year rentals that made for a very exciting regular season.
He is having a nice season in 2019. Between the Phillies and Mariners, he is hitting .230/.279/.546 with 12 HR and a 112 OPS+.