It’s about time. Jay Bruce is hitting .364/.393/.630/1.023 in 49 games for AAA Louisville. Compare that to the Reds current center fielder, Corey Patterson, who’s hitting .201/.242/.354/.596. The details below:
Tomorrow the Reds are expected to promote from Class AAA Louisville top pr
ospect OF Jay Bruce. A corresponding roster move will be announced prior to tomorrow’s 7:10 p.m. game against the Pirates. Bruce will wear uniform number 32 and when he plays will be making his Major League debut. Bruce, 21, has been rated the best prospect in the minor leagues. He has spent the season at Louisville, where in 49 games he hit .364 with 9 doubles, 5 triples, 10 HR, 37 RBI and 8 stolen bases. He leads the International League in hitting and hits (67) and ranks among the IL leaders in slugging percentage (.630, 3rd), runs scored (34, 4th), extra-base hits (24, T4th) and RBI (T5th).
Let me just say that when your current starting center fielder’s OPS (.596) is less than your prospect’s slugging percentage (.630), it may be time to make a change. Bruce definitely deserves to be playing over Corey Patterson. That said, I think a case could be made for Patterson to play over Griffey, Jr. Check out this list, sorted by RZR. Patterson is actually an elite defender. If the Reds could somehow trade Griffey and his albatross of a contract, put Bruce in RF (and lead him off), and leave Corey in CF (while hitting 7th or 8th), I think the team would be better off. Either way, I’m looking forward to seeing the best prospect alive finally make his Major League debut tomorrow. Grab him for your fantasy teams before it’s too late.
Who did they cut?
I can see them just outright releasing Hatteberg. Or trading him to an AL team in need of a DH.
I think they’ll cut Patterson, but I think we should keep him. Unfortunately we have 5 center fielders, so they’ll probably cut one of them.
Hatteberg’s not a bad idea. He is 38. He gets on base a ton. I can see a team wanting him to be a pinch hitter / spot DH.
I took a gander at the Reds roster. Maybe Coffey gets sent down (he may be out of options). Or Belilse gets released. Although after that 18 inning game where every pitcher was used, they can’t move a pitcher now. It’s gotta be Scott. As Nick said, Corey is a good fielder. He will be trade bait if he ever brings his average over .250 by the All-Star break.
Is that a genuine possibility? Right now he’s sitting at .200 BA. God help the GM that only looks at BA, but still, that’s really shitty.