Jay Bruce, the next Reds stud outfielder?

You know, it is really hard to project players in the minor leagues as far as what they will do in the Major Leagues. It is even tougher to do with a player who is still in Single A baseball. So far this season I have been extremely impressed with Jay Bruce, who is currently playing for Dayton in the Midwest League. He is just a month in, as the minor league season started April 6th and today is now May 6th. Bruce has played in 26 games and has put up some impressive stats at the plate. Throw in the fact that he has been through slumps of 0-18 and 1-15 this season and it really jumps out at you.

Like I stated before, there isn’t exactly an easy way to project how someone will be as a major league when you are talking about a player who is still in the mow minor leagues like Bruce is. On the other hand, it sure is fun to compare what a player does in the same league as other guys at the same age. Two of the Reds current stud outfielder, Adam Dunn and Austin Kearns both have played in the Midwest league where Jay is currently playing. Lets take a look at their stats for their season in the Midwest League at the age of 19.

Adam Dunn - 1999 Midwest League Season - Age 19

Year	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	Avg	Obp	Slg
1999	313	62	96	16	2	11	44	46	64	.307	.399	.476

Austin Kearns - 1999 Midwest League Season - Age 19

Year	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	Avg	Obp	Slg
1999	426	72	110	36	5	13	48	50	120	.258	.340	.458

Jay Bruce - 2006 Midwest League Season - Age 19

Year	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	Avg	Obp	Slg
2006	104	18	29	9	2	5	18	8	20	.279	.322	..548

Now lets say Bruce as man at bats as Austin Kearns did in 1999, that would put him on pace for 37 doubles, 21 home runs and 74 RBI. Will he stay on that current pace? No one really knows, but at least early this season, Bruce is showing some good power in his bat and he is producing runs. Not to bad for a kid who some scouts have said that his bat won't come around for a few years.