22-year old lefty swinging Jay Bruce burst onto the scene last season before the pitchers figured him out. He needs to readjust to what pitchers are doing to him now because the Reds really need his power. Bruce played in 108 games for the Reds last season and he was 105 for 413 (.254 avg, .767 OPS) with 63 runs scored, 21 homers, 52 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. Bruce also played in 49 games in AAA-ball last season and he was 67 for 184 (.364 avg, 1.023 OPS) with 34 runs scored, 10 homers, 37 RBIs and 8 stolen bases. Bruce also needs to improve in the field. He made a stunning 9 errors in 78 games in RF last season for the Reds while showing slightly above average range.

Jerry Hairston and Jonny Gomes could get some P.T. in RF this season for the Reds. Hairston played in 12 games in RF last season for the Reds and he didn’t make any errors while showing outstanding range. Gomes played in 21 games in RF for the Rays last season and he made 1 error while showing poor range.

28-year old lefty swinging Laynce Nix played in 10 games for the Brewers last season and he was 1 for 12 (.083 avg, .237 OPS) with 1 run scored. He also played in 103 games in AAA-ball last season and he was 108 for 380 (.284 avg, .887 OPS) with 63 runs scored, 23 homers, 60 RBIs and 5 stolen bases. Nix is a natural CF so he should be able to handle RF defensively.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2009 SEASON: B-