We'll never really know what the Chicago Cubs' true plan for prospect Kris Bryant was because injuries to the 25-man roster have forced the organization to promote the 23-year-old. He'll make his debut on Friday at 2:20 p.m. ET at Wrigley Field against the San Diego Padres.
Bryant will be called up from Triple-A Iowa today and start at third base for the Cubs following the injuries to third baseman Mike Olt and second baseman/third baseman Tommy La Stella, according to Jesse Rogers of ESPNChicago.com. An MRI revealed a hairline fracture in Olt's wrist while La Stella was placed on the disabled list earlier in the week because of a sore right ribcage.
Patrick Mooney of CSN Chicago confirmed Bryant's promotion.
The MLB's top prospect was thrilled to hear the news.
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!
— Kris Bryant (@KrisBryant_23) April 17, 2015
Perhaps one of the biggest questions this offseason surrounded the Cubs and Bryant, and whether or not Chicago would have the youngster on their Opening Day roster. However, the two sides were embroiled in controversy for months regarding Bryant's promotion because if he spent the first 12 days of the 2015 season in the minor leagues then the organization could delay his free agency by an extra year, thus saving millions of dollars.
Bryant batted .425/.477/1.175/1.652 with 14 runs scored, nine home runs and 15 RBIs in 14 spring training games, leading the MLB in the latter two categories.
President of baseball operations Theo Epstein insisted the issue was not related to service time, but Bryant's agent, Scott Boras, openly criticized the organization for allegedly taking advantage of the system and accused them of holding back Bryant solely for business reasons. However, Epstein rebutted and cited the fact he has never started a prospect on an Opening Day roster in his 12-year tenure as a general manager/president of baseball operations with the Cubs and Boston Red Sox.
The team also wanted Bryant to get some reps in the outfield, which was also part of their reasoning for sending him down, in addition to improving his defense at the hot corner. But one can't help but think it was a business decision because Bryant is a client of Boras, who is notoriously known as a tough negotiator and usually gets his clients the money they want (see Scherzer, Max).
Whatever the case, Bryant will get the start at third base today and he'll have a difficult first assignment going up against Padres' ace James Shields.
