5 most highly-anticipated Reds prospects in team history

5. Jay Bruce was one of the Reds most anticipated prospects.

Jay Bruce was once the consensus best prospect in all of baseball. The former first-round pick of the Cincinnati Reds began his professional career in 2005. Following his first full season in 2006, Bruce along with the aforementioned Homer Bailey, came into 2007 ranked as a top 10 prospect.

That season is when the otherworldly hype and excitement grew. Bruce began his 2007 season at High-A, playing 67 games and totaling 45 extra-base hits before the Reds decided the competition wasn't enough for the 20-year-old.

But even after moving to Double-A, it took Bruce just 16 games before proving yet again that he was too good for that league. In one year, Bruce made the leap from High-A all the way to the top of the minor leagues.

By the time the 2008 season rolled around, Cincinnati Reds fans everywhere were buzzing with excitement about the power-hitting outfielder. Baseball fans throughout the Queen City knew Bruce was a special talent, and was the consensus best prospect in baseball at just over 20 years old.

After about 50 games at Triple-A Louisville in 2008, the highly-anticipated prospect received the call and made his Cincinnati Reds debut on May 27th. Jay Bruce wasted no time living up to the hype, going 3-for-3 in his first major league game with two runs scored, two RBIs, two walks, a double, and a stolen base.