Cincinnati Reds’ manager expects Jay Bruce to be stronger with new body – MLB News
While the Cincinnati Reds have planned to attain many things this season, the prime focus and expectation is indeed the chunk of senior players. On Wednesday, February 22, the Reds’ manager Dusty Baker spoke about Jay Bruce who has reportedly shed some weight.
Given the insight he possesses as an experienced manager, Baker advised Bruce to assess what he can do with the new body. Rotation for Bruce, as Dusty Baker said, is easier now after the weight loss.
"He has a new body," Baker said. "He's going to have to learn what he can do with that new body, especially hitting. His trunk rotation will be a lot more compact, a lot more powerful. Consequently, he'll have to learn he can wait longer now because he has
less trunk to rotate."
However, the team manager threw light on Bruce’s weight, saying he was never fat.
"He was never fat. He just wasn't suave and cut," Baker said. "We'll see. Everybody doesn't necessarily have to be suave and cut. Some guys play better with a little baby fat on them. I've seen that, too.”
Bruce’s performance will be of utmost significance for the team especially after the reports that the third baseman Juan Francisco is not completely fit to give his 100 percent at this stage. He has a complaint of sore left calf which has prompted him to
go for treatment.
As he is not there for hitting and fielding, someone has to be there. Although Bruce’s role might not have anything to do with that development, he nonetheless, has a number of things to take care of as a senior player.
Jay Bruce who has lost close to 7kg is being looked to as an important figure in the team and for the empowerment of the offence. With the career average of .256 in 514 games, having had 277 RBIs and 100 home-runs, Bruce has also remained an All-Star in
the past.
The past year he ranked eighth in both HR and RBI in the National League with 97 RBIs and 32 home-runs in 157 games in the season.
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