Kris Bryant is widely considered to be the best and most MLB ready prospect in baseball. The Cubs infielder demolished minor league pitching a season ago, hitting a combined 43 home runs and racking up 110 RBI at Double-A Tennessee and Triple-A Iowa.
He has continued that tear this spring by hitting a league-leading six bombs, driving in nine runs and batting an absurd .435. Despite his impressive numbers, it is unclear what Chicago’s MLB plan is for the 23-year-old former University of San Diego star and have stated that he will start the season in Triple-A.
As a result, his agent Scott Boras is not thrilled. Actually he’s flat out pissed and proceeded ripped the organization (via USA Today Sports):
You are damaging the ethics and brand of Major League Baseball. Kris Bryant has extraordinary skills. Kris Bryant is a superstar. He has distinguished himself from all players at every level he’s played.
Everybody in baseball is saying he’s a major-league player ready for the big leagues. I have players call me. Executives call me. The Cubs’ people want him there. Everyone says, ‘They cannot send this guy down.’ It’s too obvious.
This isn’t a system choice. This isn’t a mandate. This is a flat ownership decision. Do they really want to win here?
Many are speculating that Chicago will promote Bryan after April 17th, a date that would allow his free agency to be pushed back from 2020 to 2021. If he makes the big league roster before then, the organization would have to pony up a fat new salary a year earlier than they would prefer.
