Cubs’ Bryant expected to make major league debut Friday
After Kris Bryant all but banged down the door to the big leagues with a barrage of home runs in the minors, the Las Vegas native will finally make his much-anticipated major league debut today for the Cubs at Chicago’s Wrigley Field.
According to several reports, the Cubs will promote Bryant, baseball’s top prospect, and the Bonanza High product will be Chicago’s starting third baseman in its game against the San Diego Padres.
After hitting his third homer for Triple-A Iowa against New Orleans on Thursday night, the 23-year-old Bryant wrote on his Twitter account: “Today I got to tell my family that my dream is coming true. Can’t really put into words what that feels like. So excited for this journey!”
Chicago hasn’t officially announced Bryant’s call-up from Triple A, but according to The Times-Picayune, he had a morning flight scheduled after getting a postgame phone call informing him of the promotion.
Bryant, batting .321 with 10 RBIs in seven games for Iowa, is expected to take the roster spot of Cubs third baseman Mike Olt, who is reportedly headed for the disabled list with a hairline fracture in his wrist.
Bryant’s service time became a hot topic during spring training, when he led the majors in homers with nine but was still demoted to Triple A in what amounted to a business decision by Chicago. By keeping Bryant in the minors for the first 11 days of the season, the Cubs will retain his rights for an extra season before he becomes a free agent.
The 6-foot-5-inch Bryant led the nation in homers with 31 for the University of San Diego in 2013, when he was drafted second overall by Chicago.
After leading the Arizona Fall League in home runs in 2013 en route to earning Most Valuable Player honors, Bryant led all of pro baseball in homers last season with 43 while hitting .325 with 110 RBIs between Double A and Triple A.
On March 14, Bryant put on a show for his hometown fans at Cashman Field, launching two long balls to carry the Cubs to a 3-1 Big League Weekend exhibition win over the Oakland Athletics.
The Cubs-Padres three-game series, scheduled for 11:20 a.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, will be shown locally on Cox Community Channel 96.
Contact reporter Todd Dewey at tdewey@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0354. Follow him on Twitter: @tdewey33.
