Jay Mother-Freakin' Bruce

I love Jay Bruce. There, I said it. 3-for-3, 2 walks, 2 runs, 2 RBI and a stolen base in his major league debut.

Now, for the "but."

But, keep in mind, he's a rookie. He's 21 years old. There will be bumps in the road. Ryan Braun's rookie season may have gotten our expectations a little out of whack. Braun's 2007 was a once-in-a-lifetime rookie season. (Well, maybe twice in a lifetime. Pujols' 2001 was pretty awesome, too.)

So, keep your expectations in check. If someone offers you Jimmy Rollins for Jay Bruce, take it. My projection for Bruce this season:

65 R; 16 HR; 60 RBI; 12 SB; .290 AVG