Cubs prospect Kris Bryant will not turn down for anything
May 28, 2014, 6:15 pm
TONY ANDRACKI
By now, there's no doubt you've seen or heard of the ridiculous season Cubs prospect Kris Bryant is having.
Despite being more than two-and-a-half years younger than the average player in Double-A, Bryant entered play Wednesday leading the Southern League in homers, average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, OPS, total bases, hits and runs while also ranking second in RBI and fourth in walks. (He's also struck out the second-most times in the league, so he's not completely superhuman.)
"He's gifted," Tennessee Smokies manager Buddy Bailey said in an interview with Mick Gillispie. "To do what he's done; he was playing college baseball this time last year, if you think about it. Finishing his college season 12 months ago and now he's at Double-A.
"He ran through the minor leagues quick from rookie ball to Daytona to get here, to start off and be one of the league leaders in every category - homers, up there in RBI, OBP, SLG - it's a tremendous thing. He's way ahead of the curve right now."
Bryant has been great since Day 1, but he has turned up his play since the calendar rolled over into May, hitting .387/.472/.731 over 25 games in the month with nine homers, 31 RBI and 26 runs.
In the last 10 games, Bryant has a .538 on-base percentage with 12 hits and nine walks (including four free passes Tuesday). The 22-year-old slugger carries a career 1.077 OPS in 86 minor-league games and continues to showcase his talent in every stage of the game.
The only question now is: When will he be promoted to Triple-A Iowa to join Javier Baez and Manny Ramirez?
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Bryant has crushed at every level of baseball in which he's ever played. He's going to be very good.
I still can't believe they hired Manny Ramirez as a player/coach at AAA Iowa. I think they probably just want him to spend some time with stud prospect Javier Baez, who is heating up big time after a slow start.