Why not Jay Bruce in centerfield?

[_Sir_Charles_]

Why is it that everyone assumes that Bruce is destined to be Griff's replacement in rightfield? If it's so written in stone that he's a corner outfielder, then why are the Reds brass letting Rick Sweet plop him out in centerfield for the Bats game in and game out? He seems to be doing very well in center. If at some point in his career he gets moved to right, fine. But with our current gaping hole in center, what's holding up his promotion? His lack of walks? His abundance of k's? Look, I'd like it to be a perfect world too, but regardless of his 34 to 9 k-bb ratio, he's still hitting .328 with considerable pop in over 130 ab's. Votto's at a 20 to 10 ratio, Phillips is at a 27 to 10 ratio. Get over it and bring him up.

[Orodle]

I've heard scouts comment that hes not really that good of an outfielder to be depended on to cover a lot of ground in center on an every day basis.

[jmac]

I would like him in CF now then move him next season over to a corner.
Not playing him in CF here but in Louisville sorta shows the clock(moneywise) is the more apparent reason he isnt here right now.

[smoke6]

I've heard scouts comment that hes not really that good of an outfielder to be depended on to cover a lot of ground in center on an every day basis.

Yeah compared to Gold Glovers like Freel, Hopper, and offensive mammoths like Patterson, Bruce has no chance. I have never heard Bruce "isn't that good of an OF'r".

[goreds2]

I have heard that Bruce is playing all three outfield positons this year in preparing what may happen in the Reds front.

[_Sir_Charles_]

I have heard that Bruce is playing all three outfield positons this year in preparing what may happen in the Reds front.

He is playing all three positions. But it's like 9 games in center, 1 in left, 9 games in center, 1 in right, 9 games in center. That's not preparing for all 3 positions. That's giving another player a look at center and not wanting Jay out of the line up.

[ChatterRed]

Yeah compared to Gold Glovers like Freel, Hopper, and offensive mammoths like Patterson, Bruce has no chance. I have never heard Bruce "isn't that good of an OF'r".

[_Sir_Charles_]

I've heard scouts comment that hes not really that good of an outfielder to be depended on to cover a lot of ground in center on an every day basis.

Okay, fair enough. But then someone explain to me why he's playing centerfield nearly exclusively at Louisville? That's what keeps bugging me about this. If they're so certain he's going to be a right fielder...then get him some actual playing time there.

But constantly playing him in center tells me that their either grooming him for the CF position...OR...there's simply no communication going on in the F.O.

[GoReds33]

I really wish he could catch.

Seriously, I think he'll end up being Griffey's replacment. Griffey will be gone by the beginning of July.

[Jack Burton]

I heard a scout say his outfield skill is a cross between Chris Duncan and Adam Dunn. jk
Call him up.

[Krawhitham]

I really wish he could catch.

Seriously, I think he'll end up being Griffey's replacment. Griffey will be gone by the beginning of July.

It has to be a team in the playoff hunt for him to accept
Seattle happens to be more games back than the Reds

what playoff team has an open RF slot?

[Slyder]

It has to be a team in the playoff hunt for him to accept
Seattle happens to be more games back than the Reds

what playoff team has an open RF slot?

Just find a team that needs a Left handed DH. Griffey's legs are shot at this point in his career making his range non existant and I figure most teams realize this. Griff might be able to make a start a week but he needs to eitehr take a crash course at 1b or go somewhere that could use a DH (Edgar Martinez anyone).

[757690]

Bruce will be up, but not until June. Keeps him away from being a "super two". It's just a few more weeks, the Reds waited this long, might as well wait a few more weeks.

[Ghosts of 1990]

Just another decision in a long line of them that has had this team as a laughingstock of this league for the better part of a decade now.

The signing of patterson, the fumbling of Bruce, etc. etc. It goes on and on. Arbitration time should have NOTHING to do with this decision. You wanna win ballgames, you play the kid right now, knowing if he's what he's advertised as you're going to sign him long term anyway, so it doesn't matter 'when' he can become a free agent. and you sign him down the road.

[Ghosts of 1990]

Gotta love the excuse 'he's not up because he isn't a center fielder'.

Two things. Why's he playing every night in center in AAA?

Also, that argument doesn't hold water. Play Griffey in center again and put Bruce in right. Why not? What are we saving griffey's legs for? Griffey should be rode hard because he's not going to be a red after this year anyway. Who cares about his long term health.