Isn't it time for the management of the Cincinnati Reds to fill the open roster spot on the Chattanooga Lookouts with Jay Bruce?
Who knows, he may be on his way already. I hope so.
As of May 21, the 20-year old outfielder is hitting .351 for High-A Sarasota. Bruce has nine home runs with 32 RBI, and a slugging percentage of .649.
Many admire the Atlanta Braves organization that rewards players by moving them up when they have proven their performance at a lower level. Bruce has done that.
Lookout fans have been able to watch 19-year old Justin Upton, Arizona's top prospect, playing at AT&T Field after a recent callup. (Monday night will likely be his last appearance.)
At the end of last season, Bruce was rated higher than Upton by Baseball America.
TOP 10 PROSPECTS
1. Jay Bruce, of, Dayton (Reds)
2. Cameron Maybin, of, West Michigan (Tigers)
3. Justin Upton, of, South Bend (Diamondbacks)
4. Colby Rasmus, of, Quad Cities (Cardinals)
5. Nick Adenhart, rhp, Cedar Rapids (Angels)
6. Jacob McGee, lhp, Southwest Michigan (Devil Rays)
7. Jaime Garcia, lhp, Quad Cities (Cardinals)
8. Wade Davis, rhp, Southwest Michigan (Devil Rays)
9. Donald Veal, lhp, Peoria (Cubs)
10. Matt Walker, rhp, Southwest Michigan (Devil Rays)
Baseball America noted that the league in which he played last year (low Class A Midwest League) had other top draft selections – such as Maybin, Rasmus and Upton — but it was Bruce who ranked as the league’s No. 1 prospect. And even though he was the youngest player in the MWL all-star game, he came away with the MVP award. He led the league in doubles and extra-base hits (63).
In this year's rating of the TOP 100, Bruce was rated #14 while Upton rated #9.
Project Prospect's 2007 Top 100 Prospect List have Bruce rated #7, just below former Lookout (2006) Homer Bailey.
How long must we wait?