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 was a right fielder in Major League Baseball (MLB). Jay played for several teams, including the Cincinnati Reds and New York Yankees.

The Reds picked Bruce in the first round of the 2005 Major League Baseball draft. He made his MLB debut in 2008. During his career, 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. However, his mom worried about injuries in football. She didn't want him to risk his baseball future. So, Jay focused only on baseball.

He went to West Brook High School in Beaumont, Texas. Jay was a fantastic baseball player there. In his final year, he hit very well, with 12 home runs and 31 RBIs (runs batted in). He was offered a scholarship to play baseball at Tulane University. But Jay decided to become a professional player right after high school. The Reds drafted him 12th overall in the 2005 MLB draft.

Professional Baseball Career

Starting in the Minor Leagues

Jay Bruce began his professional career in 2005. He played for the Reds' rookie teams in the Gulf Coast League and then the Billings Mustangs. He quickly showed he was a top young player. Baseball America magazine called him one of the best prospects.

In 2006, he moved up to the Dayton Dragons. He continued to play very well, hitting 16 home runs and 81 RBIs. He was named an All-Star multiple times. Baseball America again said he was the best prospect in his league.

By 2007, Bruce was promoted through different minor league teams. He played for the Sarasota Reds, Chattanooga Lookouts, and Louisville Bats. He hit 26 home runs and 89 RBIs that season. He won the Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year Award. Before the 2008 season, he was ranked the number one minor league prospect in all of baseball.

Playing for the Cincinnati Reds

2008: Major League Debut

Jay Bruce before his first Major League game with the Reds

Jay Bruce joined the Cincinnati Reds in May 2008. He made his first MLB game on May 27. He had an amazing start, getting three hits and two RBIs. He even stole a base! In his second game, he reached base six times in a row. This was a rare achievement for a new player.

On May 31, Bruce hit his first Major League home run. It was a "walk-off" home run, meaning it won the game for the Reds in the final inning. He kept hitting home runs, showing his power. For the season, he hit 21 home runs and had 52 RBIs. He was named to the Major League All-Rookie Team.

2009: Dealing with Injuries

Bruce started his first Opening Day game in 2009. He hit back-to-back home runs in April. However, he fractured his right wrist in July while trying to catch a ball. He returned in September and helped the Reds win a game with a key hit. He finished the season with 22 home runs and 58 RBIs.

2010: Clinching the Division

In 2010, Jay Bruce hit a game-winning home run against famous pitcher Roy Halladay. On August 27, he hit three home runs in one game! This was a huge achievement. On September 28, Bruce hit another walk-off home run. This one was extra special because it won the National League Central Division title for the Reds. It was their first time in the playoffs since 1995. He ended the season with 25 home runs and 70 RBIs.

2011: Becoming an All-Star

Jay Bruce batting in 2011

Bruce had a great May in 2011, hitting 12 home runs and 33 RBIs. He was named the National League Player of the Month. He was also chosen for his first All-Star Game. On September 27, he 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.

2012: Winning a Silver Slugger

Jay Bruce continued his strong play in 2012. He was named NL Player of the Week in April. He also hit an inside-the-park home run in June. He was selected for his second All-Star Game. He finished the season with 34 home runs and 99 RBIs. He won his first Silver Slugger Award for being one of the best hitters at his position.

2013: Another Silver Slugger

Jay Bruce before a game in April 2014

In 2013, Bruce 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, finishing with 109 RBIs. He hit 30 home runs and 43 doubles, which was a career high. He won his second straight Silver Slugger Award. He also won the Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Award for the Reds.

2014-2016: Later Years with the Reds

In 2014, Bruce had surgery on his left knee. He still managed to hit 18 home runs and steal a career-high 12 bases. In 2015, he hit his 200th career home run. He ended that season with 26 home runs and 87 RBIs. In 2016, Bruce was named to his third All-Star team. Before being traded, he led the league with 80 RBIs and hit 25 home runs for the Reds.

Moving to Other Teams

New York Mets

Jay Bruce with the Mets in 2016

On August 1, 2016, the Reds traded Jay Bruce to the New York Mets. He hit 8 home runs for the Mets that year. In 2017, he continued to hit well for the Mets, with 29 home runs and 75 RBIs before another trade.

Cleveland Indians

Jay Bruce batting for the Indians in 2017

In August 2017, the Cleveland Indians acquired Jay Bruce. He helped the Indians win 22 games in a row, hitting a game-winning double on September 14. Overall in 2017, between the Mets and Indians, he hit a career-high 36 home runs and had 101 RBIs.

Return to the Mets

Bruce signed a new contract with the Mets in January 2018. He struggled with a hip injury that season. He finished 2018 with 9 home runs and 37 RBIs.

Seattle Mariners

Jay Bruce batting for the Mariners in 2019

In December 2018, the Mets traded Bruce to the Seattle Mariners. On May 31, 2019, he hit his 300th career home run. He hit 14 home runs for the Mariners before being traded again.

Philadelphia Phillies

Jay Bruce playing for the Phillies in 2019

On June 2, 2019, the Mariners traded Bruce to the Philadelphia Phillies. Jay was excited to join a team with a chance to win. In his first game with the Phillies, 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. He won his sixth career Player of the Week Award. He finished 2019 with 12 home runs for the Phillies. In the shorter 2020 season, he hit 6 home runs.

New York Yankees

Jay Bruce with the Yankees in 2021

In February 2021, Jay Bruce signed with the New York Yankees. He made the team and played his first game as a Yankee on his 34th birthday, April 3. He got a hit and two RBIs in that game. However, he struggled in the following weeks.

Retirement from Baseball

Jay Bruce announced his retirement from baseball on April 18, 2021. He said he felt he could no longer play at the high level he expected from himself. Over his 14 seasons in Major League Baseball, Jay Bruce had a career batting average of .244. He hit 319 home runs and had 951 RBIs in 1,650 games.

Personal Life

Jay Bruce married Hannah Eastham on December 1, 2012. They had been dating since high school. The couple has two children.

Awards and Achievements