Jay Bruce’s knee had more to do with his struggles at the plate last season than the myriad of defensive shifts thrown his way.
No doubt, the 2014 season was one to forget for the 28-year-old Cincinnati Reds right fielder.
Bruce played in just 137 games. He missed two weeks in May following arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee.
Reds manager Bryan Price later admitted that not sending Bruce out on a rehab assignment might have proved detrimental to his production.
Bruce’s numbers confirm that possibility.
He batted .217 with 18 homers and a .281 on-base and .373 slugging percentage, all career-lows.
“Before I got activated, I told myself that I wouldn’t let myself use that as an excuse. Not going to rehab was a decision between me and the organization,” Bruce said, in June. “I felt that I was ready to come back and help the major league team.”
The disastrous offensive season for Bruce was among the reasons why Cincinnati ranked near the bottom of the National League in hitting, hits, runs and on-base percentage.
The Reds’ .238 team batting average was the franchise’s fourth-lowest since 1900, and they failed to score at least 600 runs for the first time in more than 30 years.
The emergence of catcher Devin Mesoraco and third baseman Todd Frazier as run producers have relegated Bruce to the bottom-third of the batting order. But, Bruce’s left-handed power to the gaps is something the Reds sorely need back this season.
Cincinnati opponents believe they have the book on Bruce.
When Bruce steps to the plate, the shortstop often shifts behind second base and the second baseman morphs into an extra right fielder.
Welcome to life as a notorious pull hitter.
In reality, Bruce was fairly successful last season against the shifts, hitting .286 against them, according to FanGraphs.com.
With the knee injury no longer limiting his power, Bruce has looked better in spring training, batting .400 with two doubles, a homer, and three RBIs in his first five games.
If healthy this season, Bruce hopes to render those shifts defenseless.