Reds' Jay Bruce Wins Silver Slugger Award

CINCINNATI - Cincinnati Reds right fielder Jay Bruce has been named winner of the National League Louisville Silver Slugger Award for his position.

In 2012, the 25-year-old was selected by National League manager Tony LaRussa for his second All-Star Game appearance, was the Reds’ nominee for the Hank Aaron Award and was a finalist for the Rawlings Gold Glove Award. In 155 games for the Reds, Bruce hit .252 with 35 doubles, 34 HR and 99 RBI.

Last season, Bruce was 1 of only 3 players in the Major Leagues with at least 35 doubles, 34 homers and 99 RBI (Ryan Braun, Miguel Cabrera) and joined Hall of Famer and fellow Beaumont, TX native Frank Robinson as the only players in Reds history to produce at least 20 homers in each of his first 5 seasons. Bruce fell 2 doubles and a homer shy of becoming only the second player in Reds history with at least 37 doubles and 35 homers in a season (Robinson, 1962, 51 2b, 39hr).

Bruce is the first player in Major League history to hit at least 20 home runs as a rookie and then increase that total in each of his next 4 seasons (21 in 2008, 22 in 2009, 25 in 2010, 32 in 2011, 34 in 2012). Through last season, he leads all active players under age 26 in both HR (134) and RBI (376).

Bruce is the first Reds outfielder to win a Louisville Silver Slugger Award since Eric Davis earned the honors in 1989. Second baseman Brandon Phillips won it last year.