A little worried about Bruce

[Ghosts of 1990]

I guess its less concerning since the whole offense isn't hitting. But Jay Bruce is not hitting .260 even right now.

I expected a lot more from him. They've quit for the year it seems (not necessarily Jay) but the whole team looks dead, and has a 'ghost town' feel to them.

They've made it easy for me to declare it football season. The games arent even fun to watch anymore.

[DUNN'KD]

Bruce is the next Brandon Larson.

[dunner13]

hes a rookie, this year doenst matter at all. what he does next year will begin to tell you how good he is going to be.

[TheBigLebowski]

There's no protection for him in this lineup whatsoever and the league has discovered where the holes in his swing are. That's a bad combo. Still not worried about the guy at all. He'll hopefully get some GOOD coaching in the off-season and come out guns ablaze next year.

[Nasty_Boy]

He has the almighty Brandon Phillips as protection!

But seriously... I'm worried but I'm not. He is not ready and will not be ready next season to carry the Reds offense. He doesn't command the strikezone. You can get the guy out without throwing the ball over the plate. This is a trait that normally develops with age, but at this point in his career Jay Bruce is a 6-7 hole hitter. All I can say is this team is going to be terrible next season if they are counting on Jay and Brandon to carry the load.

[CySeymour]

It seemed to me that Bruce is pulling off of everything. When he first was up, he was taking pitches all over the park. He should be fine. I am sure he is really pressing a bunch.

[Nasty_Boy]

I bet he challenges AD's strikeout record next season.

[BLEEDS]

I bet he challenges AD's strikeout record next season.

If he can OPS like Dunn, that is fine, but I don't see that in year 2 (1.5).

PEACE

-BLEEDS

[aerontg]

hes a rookie, this year doenst matter at all. what he does next year will begin to tell you how good he is going to be.

At what point does it become CLEAR how good he's going to be? Sorry, but absolving a player because "he's a rookie" seems a bit suspicious to me. Even more so that you mention that next year will "begin to tell". Do you give it 3 years before the story is clear on Bruce?

[Focusonit]

If Jay Bruce is the Reds biggest concern, then this team will be fantastic. He's young and taking some lumps right now. However, he will be a star. He is a can't miss player!
Just be patient Reds fans.

[Nasty_Boy]

If he can OPS like Dunn, that is fine, but I don't see that in year 2 (1.5).

PEACE

-BLEEDS


OPS is useless... if you strike out you can't be productive!

[ChatterRed]

He's 21 years old and batting .260 in the major leagues. Gimme a break.

[CySeymour]

OPS is useless... if you strike out you can't be productive!

Here we go again....

[Ghosts of 1990]

He's 21 years old and batting .260 in the major leagues. Gimme a break.

I am his biggest pundit/supporter.

I am just saying I expected more.

[Moosie52]

I think on a team that has other players who actually hit and drive in runs, he might do better.

[shredda2000]

Here we go again....


Someone had to take Adam Dunn's place as the new WHIPPIN' BOY :rolleyes:

[dunner13]

i think our expectations are a little ridiculous. How many great players dominated the league at the age of 21. Ryan Braun dominated but hes 24. Bruce has 292 career at bats if your giving up on him already your a pretty pessimistic fan.

[Nasty_Boy]

Bruce is struggling because he spent the offseason working out with Dunn.

[redhawk61]

Griffey hit .264 in his first season. Chipper Jones was in AAA at Bruces age. Larry Walker, whom many compare to Bruce, hit .170 at the age of 22 and .241 at the age of 23, his first full season.

[Old NDN]

Lefties' breaking pitches seem to be getting him out more often. As for Phillips, where has his plate discipline gone? He looks to be guessing (wrong) on a lot more pitches. His body language tells me he's lost interest. Not good for somebody who claims to want to be the leader of this team. Lead 'em where? To lackadaisical play?

[Ahhhorsepoo]

telling you the overall approach of all these hitters has gone to the shatter.. not long ago.. EE, bphill and many others were great at shortening up to get contact on the 2 strike pitch.. not anymore.. jacoby and pohle need to be gone yesterday...

[Oxilon]

I am his biggest pundit/supporter.

I am just saying I expected more.

And right their enlies the epitome of Reds fans. I'm not trying to point you out JayBruce32 specifically, moreso the general concensus of Reds fans. It seems like the majority of Reds fans now expect their prized prospects to come up and hit for a .300/.400/.550 line which is just completely unrealistic. Monitoring our expecations should have been the first thing we as Reds fans should have done once Bruce was called up to begin with.

[GoReds33]

Griffey hit .264 in his first season. Chipper Jones was in AAA at Bruces age. Larry Walker, whom many compare to Bruce, hit .170 at the age of 22 and .241 at the age of 23, his first full season.Good post. Expecting something great out of somebody his age is just not smart.

[ChatterRed]

Bruce is struggling because he spent the offseason working out with Dunn.

:jump:

[Ahhhorsepoo]

Nasty.. you and i might be agreeing here if bruce doesn't improve and get off the swing for the fences approach..

[Lockdwn11]

I bet he challenges AD's strikeout record next season.

Not if Adam Dunn has anything to say about it.:cool:

[Nasty_Boy]

Why does Kay and Joey only hit solo HRs? Not clutch if you ask me...

[Ahhhorsepoo]

Howard already broke the record... and will surely shatter it soon.. between howard and dunn.. jacksons all time record will sure fall in the next 15 years...

[K-GAR]

Bruce, IMO, is gonna be similar to a left handed version of Jason Bay.....

probably see something along 26/82/.282 next year (Bay's first full season), then bay exploded the next two for 32/101/.306 and 35/109/.286. Of course I hope the comparison ends there since bay struggle pretty badly the next two years.

dude is 21, was shoved through the minors and is adjusting, the game will slow down and the only thing we need to worry about is whether he ends up becoming a pretty darn good player or a superstar.

[Nasty_Boy]

Howard already broke the record... and will surely shatter it soon.. between howard and dunn.. jacksons all time record will sure fall in the next 15 years...

I was talking club record... And I'll make you a bet. If AD breaks Jackson's record he will be in the HOF. If not I'll quit posting on Redszone. ;)

[Stephenk29]

My favorite line of all time.

When will he stop trying to swing for the fences?

You're easily going to hear it if someone is struggling.