With Much Fanfare, Cubs Call Up Top Prospect Kris Bryant

When the Chicago Cubs sent third baseman Kris Bryant to the minor leagues late in spring training, most people figured that the demotion would be for roughly the 12 days necessary for the Cubs to get an additional season out of him before he was eligible for free agency. It was a few days more than that, but sure enough, with an injury to infielder Mike Olt, Bryant got the call and joined the Cubs on April 17th.

The Cubs play at home against the San Diego Padres, and Bryant will bat cleanup in his major league debut, which will add pressure to the already high expectations of him. His #17 Cubs jersey is already available for purchase, at least on line. He arrives with a level of hype last seen three years ago when Bryce Harper made his debut with the Washington Nationals. But there’s no question that the 23 year old Bryant is a very talented player who is ready for the majors.

Here’s a look back at Bryant’s 2015 spring training with the Cubs: