Congratulations to Bruce. It’s an award he never would have won if he’d been in the majors.

ST. LOUIS — Reds outfielder Jay Bruce has been selected as Sporting News’ 2007 Minor League Player of the Year. Bruce, the 12th overall pick in the 2005 draft, was slated to have a two-stop summer: first, show he could hit high-Class A pitching in Sarasota, then settle in at Class AA in Chattanooga. But his hot bat – and an injury one level up – opened a door at Class AAA Louisville, and Bruce never looked back.After compiling a stat line of a .319 batting average, 26 home runs, 46 doubles, 87 runs and 89 RBIs in 133 games at three levels, it’s evident Bruce, 20, will be swinging his lumber in Cincinnati before too long.

Sporting News, covering baseball since 1886, has been handing out the Minor League Player of the Year award since 1936.