Fants re-loading...

Jay Bruce became the first Reds prospect to be named Baseball America's Minor League Player of the Year on Friday. Justin Upton probably would have beaten him out had he been left in the minors until September, and Ian Kennedy (Cherry!), Steven Pearce (Fant! Monk!) and Evan Longoria also should have been in the mix. Clay Buchholz and Joba Chamberlain (Monk!) were tremendous, but they just didn't throw enough innings. Bruce was as good of a choice as any. The 20-year-old hit .319/.375/.587 with 26 homers, 89 RBI, 135/47 K/BB and eight stolen bases at three levels. He'll enter 2008 as the game's top position prospect.