Kris Bryant: Wrapping up Spring Training & the year ahead

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

In his first spring training, 2013 first round pick Kris Bryant flashed his mammoth natural power, and gained some valuable experience before being reassigned to minor league camp. Scouts and executives around the league got a first hand look at the slugger for the first real time at such a high level (ok, so it`s Spring Training) and spoke to CBS` Jon Heyman, handing Bryant some very significant praise:

"“All-Star third-baseman… soon”, one NL executive said“He`s a monster with significant power”, one AL Scout said“FIFTY homer power”, one NL executive said"

This report from Heyman makes me drool. FIFTY homer power, an All-Star very soon? Cubs fans have something incredible in their organization, and while the major league team is going to be sub-par yet again, just keep reading about Javier Baez and Kris Bryant. They have been getting insane reviews all around baseball.

And with Javier Baez expected to reach the majors this year, not to mentioned Mike Olt having a very legitimate shot to break camp with the team, there could actually be reasons to watch the major league team this summer.

As mentioned before, Bryant flashed his enormous power in his short stint with the big club this spring, hitting two bombs and finishing with a .222/.300/.899 slash in ten plate appearances. Bryant`s most memorable moment of his first Spring Training in professional baseball was his first at-bat, working a 3-2 count, fouling off a couple pitches, then blasting one to center field.

Bryant is expected to start the season in double-A Tennessee alongside physical-specimen Jorge Soler and top pitching prospect C.J. Edwards. Even if Bryant isn`t widely considered to be a strong candidate for a midsummer call-up, a great minor league year could put the Cubs in a fantastic position come 2015. But, as with any prospect near the Major Leagues, if Bryant plays his head off and dominates the minor leagues for most of the year, you have to consider calling him up, as I`ve discussed here before.

While he might not crack the Major Leagues as soon as 2014, with his first Spring Training officially under his belt he should be ready sooner than later, and with this Cubs team, the sooner the better.