Cincinnati Reds’ Silver Slugger Jay Bruce thinks ‘plenty’ needs to be done – MLB News
Establishing one's credentials, periodically – if not regularly, is a rewarding exercise.
Cincinnati Reds' right fielder Jay Bruce won his career’s first National League Silver Slugger Award this past week, becoming the sole Reds’ outfielder to win since 1989 when Eric Davis had been named for the award.
The award goes to the best offensive player at each position. Significantly, it is determined through the votes of the managers and the coaches.
After second baseman Brandon Phillips won the Silver Slugger Award in 2011, the Reds’ retaining it this year is another achievement for the club.
While Bruce remains one of the key players representing the Reds, he had his career best statistics in 2012 Major League Baseball regular season when it came to homers, RBIs, slugging percentage and doubles.
Smashing 34 home-runs, having had 99 RBIs, maintaining a slugging percentage of .514 with 35 doubles, Bruce was inarguably one of the strongest candidates for the Silver Slugger Award.
However, Bruce struck a humble note while speaking on the matter.
"I think I just got marginally better," Bruce said. "I made some improvements in some areas that are nice and honestly garnered me this award. There is still plenty of work to be done. I really, really think I am better than what I've shown so far. I'm still not satisfied and still a little disappointed in some ways with my season. Obviously this award helps a lot with that to be honest with you."
Bruce remains among the only two Reds' players to have hit more than 20 home-runs in the first five seasons of their career. Be that as it may, he wants to do more.
"It's nice, but there's definitely a lot of work to be done," Bruce said. "I think I can get better. I don't think I am done yet."
The outfielder was the first player in the history of Major League to hit at least 20 long balls as a rookie. His 134 homers and 376 RBIs make him the only active player under 26 who has achieved this feat, distinguishing him from all his contemporaries.
Even though the Reds did not win their bid of winning the National League Division Series, being outplayed by the San Francisco Giants, Bruce’s performance remained the highlight of the team. Being in possession of quality players like Bruce will enable the Reds to win glory in the years to come.
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