Cubs Phenom Kris Bryant and Theo Epstein at Odds Over Major League Call-Up
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Brian D. Kersey(MESA, Ariz.) — Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant has arguably been the best player in the Major Leagues during spring training. Despite the dominance he’s shown at the plate, he’s still expected to start the season in the minors.
Bryant is leading all Major League players this season with nine home runs while also hitting .406 and has 15 RBIs.
“I look at it as ‘Why not me?’ ” Bryant said Friday morning. “I think I’m the type of guy that can go out there and do it. I’ve made it a point of mine to come out here and show them that I can.”
This has not come at of nowhere as Bryant is regarded as one of the best minor league prospects in all of baseball. Which could be why the team could ultimately decide to keep him in the minors, for now.
If Bryant makes the Cubs’ Opening Day roster, he’ll be a free agent after the 2020 season. If the Cubs keep him in the minors till at least mid-April, he won’t be eligible for free agency till after the 2021 season.
“I’ve never put a guy on an Opening Day roster who hadn’t played in the big leagues previously. In 13 years, I’ve never done it,” Epstein told ESPN. “I’m not saying I’d never do it, but the general rule, the presumption, is to allow those guys to go out, play, get comfortable, get in rhythm, and come up when you handpick just the right moment for them to have success.”
In AA and AAA combined in 2014, Bryant hit .325 with 43 home runs and 110 RBIs.
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