Jay Bruce, many of you may not have known this name, but after this weekend it’s been hard not to hear it. Bruce was named baseball’s number one prospect this spring by Baseball America, after destroying minor league pitching last year. It didn’t stop this year, as he was hitting .364 with 10 homers in Triple A before getting the call. In his first six games in the majors, Bruce has hit .591 and is slugging a ridiculous 1000. Not to mention his first career major league home run for a walkoff, not bad for your first. What’s been more impressive is that he was walked six times already, and has only struck out once. This shows that he has the plate discipline to succeed as a major league star.

I picked up on an interesting comment by ESPN’s Peter Gammons on last night’s Mets-Dodgers telecast. Gammons said that he saw Bruce play in the Futures Game last year, and noticed that he would gather around the cage to see the other guys take some cuts and see what he could improve on. Gammons also said that their were some good ones who played in this game, but the ball just came off Bruce’s bat differently.

Along with an already potent Joey Votto, and pitching studs Edinson Volquez, Jonny Cueto, and Homer Bailey, the Reds could be a team to watch next year, ala the Rays this year.

In other words, if Fernando Martinez can be half of what this guy could be, were in for a treat.