“From watching him, I knew it was just a matter of time,” Thomas said. “It’s hard to tell how quickly a guy can get to the top, and usually there is a period of adjustment to major league pitching. But in his case it’s been instant. I spend a lot of time running to the TV watching Jay Bruce highlights. My son always alerts me when he is coming to bat.

“It’s beautiful to watch. He’s taking lefties the other way and pulling righties. His swing is just so sweet. I can’t wait to take my son to watch him play when they come to Houston.”

The Reds, by the way, don’t visit Minute Maid Park until a three-game series July 28-30. They return Aug. 26-28 and Sept. 23-25. The Astros may need to set up a branch ticket office in Beaumont.

Gilligan, meanwhile, says the more he thinks about it the player whose total skills he’d most compare Bruce to is Griffey. Interestingly enough, Griffey is the player Bruce grew up idolizing. And now he’s edged his way into the Griffey media spotlight as the veteran closes in on his 600th home run.

“He even looks like Griffey at the plate,” Gilligan maintains. “About the only difference is Jay is a bigger version. I can remember talking to Cincinnati’s minor league people when Griffey was coming up. They were saying the same things about him they are saying about Jay.

“Bottom line, he has all the tools. On top of that, he’s a great kid who is unusually mature for his age. He won’t let what’s happening go to his head. He’s well grounded. He just has so much going for him, including being able to lean on Griffey for advice. From what I understand, Griffey really likes him.”

Joe Bruce verifies the latter. “Jay’s first game, he and Griffey and Adam Dunn were on the top step of the dugout. Griffey said to Jay and Dunn that they all needed to sprint to the outfield in the top of the first. When he said, ‘Let’s go,’ Jay took off. He got about 30 yards and noticed he was alone.

“Griffey and Dunn were in the dugout laughing that he’d fallen for a rookie prank. They really do love him. They’ve been messing with him since he was in the rookie league. Being with them is a great fit for him. I think they see him as a special player.”

All in all, it sounds like Gilligan’s five-year projection may not be an exaggeration.

Sports editor Bob West can be e-mailed at rdwest@usa.net. His Sportsrap radio show airs Mondays at 7:05 p.m. on KLVI (560-AM).