Could the Chicago Cubs have the NL Rookie of the Year in 2015?

KRIS BRYANT – 3B/OF?

Mar 10, 2014; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs third baseman

signs autographs prior to the game against the San Francisco Giants at Scottsdale Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The legend of Kris Bryant precedes him. In less than two seasons of professional baseball, Bryant has set a remarkably high bar for himself. And as fans, we’ve elevated expectation any higher. Based on any bit of press you read about him, anything less than a batting title, home run title and Rookie of the Year would be a disappointment. This is of course ridiculous. But what are the real expectation of him this season?

It’s difficult to get a true read on where Bryant will start the season. All signs seem to point to Triple-A Iowa, as the Cubs will look to avoid starting his arbitration clock to save another year. But if he’s ready, I mean REALLY ready, then what? If something was to happen to Bryant, an injury of any type while at Triple-A, the organization would never hear the end of it. In everyone’s eyes, he shouldn’t have been there. I personally can’t remember hearing anything like this with any other prospect, but I may have either been oblivious to it, or just didn’t care.

While we are all aware of what Bryant can do at the plate, where exactly he plays might be the question. The Cubs truly don’t have an incumbent at third base. But there has been plenty of talk that he could see time in the outfield. Which if that’s the case, if Bryant does start in Iowa, that needs to be the only positions he plays. Arismendy Alcantara got a short training run in the outfield before being called up. and while he seemed to man center field well, I believe the mental focus in the field took away from him at the plate. He may very well overcome that this season, but could the same happen to Bryant?

Now, I’m not comparing Bryant to Alcantara. I’m not insane. But it’s not about their physical makeup, but the mental side of the game. Being called up, then asked to play out of position, all while trying to have success at the plate to prove yourself? I’ll point something out, that I’m not saying is the reason, but just hear me out. Alcantara and Javier Baez both played “out of position”, although Baez saw some time at second base, and I feel like that switch isn’t near as difficult as moving to the outfield. One of the only rookies to not have to play out of position?

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