Jay Bruce facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jay Bruce
Bruce with the New York Yankees in 2021
Right fielder
Born: (1987-04-03) April 3, 1987 (age 38) Beaumont, Texas, U.S.
Batted: Left Threw: Left
debut
May 27, 2008, for the Cincinnati Reds
Last appearance
April 14, 2021, for the New York Yankees
MLB statistics
Batting average	.244
Home runs	319
Runs batted in	951
Teams
Cincinnati Reds (2008–2016) New York Mets (2016–2017) Cleveland Indians (2017) New York Mets (2018) Seattle Mariners (2019) Philadelphia Phillies (2019–2020) New York Yankees (2021)
Career highlights and awards
3× All-Star (2011, 2012, 2016) 2× Silver Slugger Award (2012, 2013)

Jay Allen Bruce (born April 3, 1987) is an American former professional baseball player. He played as a right fielder in Major League Baseball (MLB). Jay played for teams like the Cincinnati Reds, New York Mets, Cleveland Indians, Seattle Mariners, Philadelphia Phillies, and New York Yankees. The Reds picked him in the first round of the 2005 Major League Baseball draft. He started playing in MLB in 2008. Jay was chosen as an All-Star three times. He also won the Silver Slugger Award twice for his great hitting.

Early Life and High School Baseball

Jay Bruce was born in Beaumont, Texas, on April 3, 1987. He was the youngest of three children. As a kid, Jay loved playing both baseball and football. But his mom didn't want him to play football because of the risk of injuries. She wanted him to focus on baseball. She said, "All the work you put into baseball could be wiped out on one play."

Jay went to West Brook High School in Beaumont, Texas. He was a fantastic baseball player there. In his final year, he hit for a very high average of .538. He also hit 12 home runs and had 31 RBIs. Jay was offered a scholarship to play baseball at Tulane University. But he decided to go straight to professional baseball after high school. The Reds drafted him as the 12th pick in the 2005 Major League Baseball draft. He signed a contract for $1.8 million. This was one of the biggest signing bonuses the Reds had ever given.

Professional Baseball Career

Starting in the Minor Leagues

Jay Bruce began his professional career in 2005. He played for the Reds' rookie team in the Gulf Coast League. He hit well there, with a .270 batting average. Then he moved to the Billings Mustangs. Baseball America magazine called him a top young player.

In 2006, Jay moved up to the Dayton Dragons. He did even better, hitting .291 with 16 home runs and 81 RBIs. He led all Reds minor league players in RBIs. He was named an All-Star multiple times that year. Baseball America said he was the best prospect in the Midwest League.

By 2007, Jay was playing for higher-level minor league teams. He played for the Sarasota Reds and then the Chattanooga Lookouts. He was even picked for the 2007 All-Star Futures Game. Later that year, he joined the Reds' highest minor league team, the Louisville Bats. For the whole season, he hit .319 with 26 home runs and 89 RBIs. He won the Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year Award. Experts ranked him as the number one minor league prospect in baseball before the 2008 season.

Playing for the Cincinnati Reds

2008 Season: MLB Debut

Jay Bruce before his first Major League game with the Reds

Jay Bruce was invited to the Reds' spring training in 2008. He started the season with the Louisville Bats. He was hitting great, with 10 home runs in just 49 games. Because of his strong play, the Reds called him up to the major leagues.

On May 27, 2008, Jay made his MLB debut. He played against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He had an amazing first game, getting 3 hits in 3 tries. He also drove in two runs and stole a base. In his first six times at bat, he reached base every time. This was a rare feat in baseball! On May 30, he had 4 hits in one game. The next day, May 31, he hit his first MLB home run. It was a "walk-off" home run, meaning it won the game for the Reds in the final inning.

Jay Bruce with the Reds

Jay continued to play well in his first few weeks. He hit three home runs in his first week. For the season, he hit 21 home runs and had 52 RBIs. He was one of the youngest players in the National League. He was also named to the Major League All-Rookie Team.

2009-2011 Seasons: Growing as a Star

In 2009, Jay started his first Opening Day game. He hit 22 home runs and had 58 RBIs that season. In 2010, Jay hit a game-winning home run against star pitcher Roy Halladay. On August 27, he hit three home runs in one game against the Chicago Cubs. On September 28, Jay hit another walk-off home run. This one was very special because it helped the Reds win the NL Central title. It was the team's first time in the postseason since 1995. For the 2010 season, he hit a career-high .281 with 25 home runs and 70 RBIs.

Jay Bruce batting in 2011

In 2011, Jay had a great May, hitting 12 home runs and 33 RBIs. He was named the NL Player of the Month. He was also selected to play in the 2011 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. On September 27, Jay hit his 100th career home run. He was one of the youngest Reds players to reach this milestone. For the season, he hit 32 home runs and had 97 RBIs. He was nominated for a Rawlings Gold Glove Award for his defense.

2012-2013 Seasons: Silver Slugger Awards

In 2012, Jay was named NL Player of the Week in April. On June 15, he hit an inside-the-park home run. He was named to his second Major League Baseball All-Star Game. Jay finished the 2012 season with 34 home runs, which was third-most in the National League. He also had 99 RBIs. He won his first Silver Slugger Award for being one of the best hitters at his position.

Jay Bruce before a game in April 2014

In 2013, Jay hit his second career grand slam. He reached 30 home runs for the third time in his career. He also had 100 RBIs for the first time. He finished the season with 30 home runs and 109 RBIs, which was his highest RBI total. He won his second straight Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger Award. He also won the Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Award for the Reds.

2014-2016 Seasons: Injuries and Trades

In 2014, Jay had surgery on his left knee. He played some games at first base for the first time in his career. He hit 18 home runs and had 66 RBIs that season.

In 2015, Jay hit his 200th career home run. He became the ninth Reds player to do so. He finished the season with 26 home runs and 87 RBIs.

In 2016, Jay was named to his third All-Star team. Before he was traded, he was leading the league with 80 RBIs. He also hit 25 home runs for the Reds.

Moving to the New York Mets

Jay Bruce with the Mets in 2016

On August 1, 2016, the Reds traded Jay Bruce to the New York Mets. For the rest of that season, he hit 8 home runs and had 19 RBIs for the Mets. Overall in 2016, he hit 33 home runs and had 99 RBIs. In 2017, before another trade, Jay hit 29 home runs and had 75 RBIs for the Mets.

Time with the Cleveland Indians

Jay Bruce batting for the Indians in 2017

On August 9, 2017, the Cleveland Indians got Jay Bruce from the Mets. On September 14, he hit a "walk-off" double. This hit helped the Indians extend their amazing win streak to 22 games! In 2017, between the Mets and Indians, Jay hit a career-high 36 home runs and had 101 RBIs.

Back with the Mets

On January 16, 2018, Jay signed a new contract to return to the Mets. He struggled with a hip injury that year. He finished the 2018 season with 9 home runs and 37 RBIs.

Playing for the Seattle Mariners

Jay Bruce batting for the Mariners in 2019

On December 3, 2018, the Mets traded Jay Bruce to the Seattle Mariners. On May 31, 2019, Jay hit his 300th career home run. This was a big milestone for him. Before he was traded again, he hit 14 home runs and had 28 RBIs for the Mariners.

Joining the Philadelphia Phillies

On June 2, 2019, the Mariners traded Jay Bruce to the Philadelphia Phillies. Jay was happy to join a team that had a chance to win.

Jay Bruce playing for the Phillies in 2019

Jay had an incredible start with the Phillies. In his first game, he hit two home runs, including a grand slam! He was the first Phillies player since 1920 to hit four home runs in his first four games with the team. On June 10, he won his sixth career Player of the Week Award. For the 2019 season with the Phillies, he hit 12 home runs and had 31 RBIs. In 2020, during the shorter season, he hit 6 home runs and had 14 RBIs.

Final Season with the New York Yankees

Jay Bruce with the Yankees in 2021

On February 13, 2021, Jay Bruce signed a deal with the New York Yankees. He made the team and played his first game for the Yankees on April 3, which was his 34th birthday. He got a hit and two RBIs in that game. However, Jay struggled in the following weeks. He decided to retire from baseball on April 18, 2021. He said he felt he couldn't perform at the level he expected from himself.

Retirement from Baseball

Jay Bruce announced his retirement from baseball on April 18, 2021. He played 14 seasons in Major League Baseball. In his career, he had a batting average of .244. He hit 319 home runs and had 951 RBIs in 1,650 games. He was a powerful hitter and a strong outfielder throughout his career.

Personal Life

Jay Bruce is of Scottish background. On December 1, 2012, he married Hannah Eastham. They had been dating since high school. Jay and Hannah have two children together.

Awards and Achievements