The standard move for teams in contention is trading for veteran help at the all-star break. The standard move for teams that are not in contention or are in fringe contention is to call up the highly touted prospect form the minors. The young guy call up is much much better. I love this. It is way more exciting than teams picking up a lefty setup man or another bat off the bench. Typically, the call up is someone who fans of the team have heard about for years, the next can't-miss-change-your-franchise player. And these players typically come out like Gangbusters and the fans suddenly are reminded of Ted Williams, Roger Clemens, etc. Now for every Albert Pujols there is a Fransisco Liriano. For every Hanley Ramirez there is a Phillip Hughes (now Hughes and Liriano are both young and injured - so there is still time but the fizzle is pretty loud at this point). No matter the eventual outcome these players bring hope. I have seen this with Verlander and Zumaya, Jeff Francoeur, Liriano, Hughes, etc. etc.
And I am glad to see 2008 is no exception. I would like to welcome Jay Bruce to the club of the "Called up for a week already touted for the Hall of Fame". Jay is the highly touted Reds outfielder and he came out 3-3 in his debut with a 2B. Time will tell whether Mr. Bruce is the next Griffey or the next Russell Branyan, but for now hope springs eternal.
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