Chicago Cubs: Kris Bryant continues to struggle in June

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iMay 21, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant (17) runs the bases after hitting a home run against the Milwaukee Brewers during the third inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports /

Chicago Cubs slugger Kris Bryant is hitting just .208 in the month of June, including a current 3-for-15 slump. What is wrong with the reigning National League MVP?

Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant took the league by storm in 2015. At the age of 23, Bryant mashed 26 home runs and drove in 99 runs – despite starting the season in Triple-A. After posting a 135 OPS+ in his rookie campaign, he finished 11th in MVP voting and took home Rookie of the Year honors.

Looking to build upon a fantastic rookie season, Bryant took off in 2016. A year wiser, Bryant lowered his strikeout rate in 2016, while increasing his line-drive and fly ball percentages. The result of that improvement led Bryant to slash .292/.385/.554 with 39 home runs and 102 RBI. For his efforts, Bryant earned his second All-Star Game appearance and won National League MVP honors.

2017 has been a challenge

Understanding that he needed to hit the ball to the opposite field more, Bryant worked in the offseason to fill that gap in his game. In 64 games, Bryant’s contact percentage to the opposite field has risen from 19.7 percent in 2016 to 26.9 percent this season. While that should signal good things for any hitter, that has not been the case for the reigning MVP.

From 2015 to 2016, Bryant decreased his ground ball percentage by a little less than four points. The result was more hard hit balls in the air, creating the best environment possible for doubles and home runs. This season, however, Bryant’s numbers have shifted in a concerning way.

Jun 5, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Miami Marlins left fielder Marcell Ozuna (13) slides safely into third base on a wild pitch as Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant (17) makes the play during the seventh inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports /

More pop ups, less line drives

Even though Bryant is hitting more balls in the air (45.8 percent in 2016 compared to 48.6 percent this season), his hard contract percentage has dropped. According to Fangraphs, Bryant is making hard contract only 30.3 percent of the time. As a comparison, Bryant made hard contact 40.3 percent of the time in 2016, and 37.5 percent of the time in 2015.

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What these numbers suggest is that Bryant is producing more pop-ups and lazy fly balls this season than ever before. Yes, Bryant is hitting the ball in the air, which was his goal, but instead of producing home runs and doubles, Bryant is consistently making easy outs in the air.

Power numbers down, walk rate up

Yes, Bryant currently has 15 home runs, and is on pace to hit 35, but the 25-year-old’s slugging percentage has taken a hit this season. After posting a .554 mark in 2016, Bryant’s slugging percentage is more than thirty points lower this season.

That drop could tie in with the contact numbers mentioned earlier. Despite this, Bryant is on pace to walk 112 times this season, compared to 75 times in 2016, and 77 times a year before that.

Having already walked 47 times, Bryant has a walk rate of 16.3 percent, the highest of his career. Even with his slugging percentage down, Bryant still owns a .396 OBP.

May 29, 2017; San Diego, CA, USA; Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant (17) reacts while at bat during the seventh inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /

Bryant is in the middle of a rough patch

In his last five games, Bryant is 3-for-15 with eight strikeouts. This is concerning because up until this point, Bryant’s strikeout rate has been in good shape. Still, it sits at 21.2 percent which is lower than the 22 percent posted last season.

With the youngster seemly lost at the plate right now, manager Joe Maddon kept Bryant out of the starting line-up two out of the last three games, including Sunday’s contest against the Pirates. Perhaps, this extra rest will allow Bryant to reset and start fresh.

The Cubs need Bryant to perform at a high level

As of right now, there is no huge concern for the Cubs. Even though Bryant is slumping, every great hitter goes through rough patches in their career. One troubling sign is the fact Bryant is on pace to record less than 70 RBI. Perhaps, this is a byproduct of hitting him in the two-hole, but that is unacceptable from a hitter like Bryant.

Even though Bryant is getting on base at a high rate, the Cubs need their MVP to start driving in runs like he did last season.

Sometimes, people forget that Bryant does not even have two full seasons under his belt. That is important to note, because it suggests that Bryant’s shortcomings this season are due to growing pains that come with being a young star in the major leagues.

If this is the floor for Kris Bryant, I think many people would be happy with that. Only time will tell if Bryant’s slump is temporary, or if there is an underlying issue. Right now, there is no need to panic over the reigning MVP. Bryant has more than enough talent to pull out of this funk at a moments notice.

Next: Starting assistance could come from the Bay

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