The wait is over, Cubs fans.  Kris Bryant made his Major League Baseball debut today at Chicago’s Wrigley Field as his team hosted the San Diego Padres.  Prior to this season, the 23 year-old was ranked as the number one prospect in the game by Baseball America.  He had an out-of-this-world spring training for the Cubs, hitting .425 with 9 home runs in just 40 at-bats.  Despite being one of the biggest stories in all of baseball, he was left off the opening day roster due to a goofy baseball rule that benefitted the Cubs if they kept him in the minor leagues for a couple weeks.  That time has passed.  Today he hit cleanup and played 3rd base for the Major League club, who came into today in 1st place in the NL Central.

 

Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
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After today’s performance, one has to use perspective.  A baseball season is 162 games long.  This was game #9 for the Cubs.  One at bat, one game, hell… even 10 games isn’t enough of a sample size to draw any conclusions.  After all the hype, after the standing ovation, Bryant struck out in his first at-bat.  Then he struck out again in his second at-bat.  And his third.  In a crucial moment in the 7th inning, he did finally put the ball in play, but hit into a force out and upped his game total to 5 left on base.  One bright spot: In the fourth inning, he did make a great diving catch, saving an extra base hit.

Ultimately, Day #1 at the new job wasn’t a good one for Kris Bryant.  0-4, 3 strikeouts, and a disappointing 5-4 loss for the Cubs.  Give the kid some time.  He’s gonna be a good one.

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