Jay Bruce Doesn't Disappoint in Cincinnati Debut

The hype and gossip surrounding Cincinnati Reds centerfield prospect Jay Bruce began to pick up steam at the end of last season, as he dominated and advanced through every minor league level quickly. His performance wasn't noticed only by Reds fans, but by experts throughout all of baseball.

He was named the best minor league player in the Reds organization, and the best prospect in all of Major League Baseball by Baseball America in 2007.

Going into spring training this year, most figured he would be the Reds centerfielder on opening day. However, Bruce was sidelined with hamstring problems—and a stellar spring by the newly acquired Corey Patterson.

So Bruce started the season in Triple AAA Louisville, much to the surprise and dissappointment of Reds fans. But as the Reds began to struggle this year—along with Corey Patterson—fans knew it would only be a matter of time before the young man would get the call up to the big league.

That call came on Memorial Day, and he made his debut Tuesday night against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Cincinnati.

His first at bat, he walked on four pitches.

In the bottom of the third inning, he singled to left field.

In the fifth inning, he walked, and later scored off an Adam Dunn three-run homer.

In the sixth inning, he singled to left field, scoring Paul Bako.

In his final at bat in the seventh inning, he doubled to left field, scoring Bako again and left the field to the chants of "Bruuuce".

For the night he was three for three, with two singles and a double, with two RBI. He scored two more runs, and had two walks.

All in all, it was one heck of a debut for the young man from Beaumont, Texas  drafted twelvth overall in 2005—and more than likely, one that won't be forgotten any time soon.

The future is very bright for this young man, and the Reds hope it is one that will last a long time.