Chicago Cubs: How Kris Bryant almost became a Toronto Blue Jay

A long time ago, Chicago Cubs superstar almost became a member of the Toronto Blue Jays. His decision to instead attend college had a league-wide impact.

Drafted by Toronto in the 18th round of the 2010 MLB Amateur player draft out of high school, future Chicago Cubs star Kris Bryant failed to sign. Looking back, this lone decision not only impacted these two teams, but all of Major League Baseball.

Trying to imagine what it feels like seeing the one who got away must be a strange prospect. If you are a Major League Baseball team, it is more difficult as that great white buffalo could be the guy to change your entire franchise.

Kris Bryant was a star at Bonanza High School in Las Vegas. One of many future franchise players, in fact, to attend high school in Sin City. Out of high school, Bryant had aspirations of attending college. The young player wanted to be a pro baseball player, just like his dad, Mike.

At the helm of his senior year in high school, Bryant committed to the University of San Diego to play baseball with a scholarship worth nearly $50,000 per year. For the Toronto Blue Jays, it was a shot in the dark, a dart throw in making the selection knowing Bryant probably would not sign.

Offered between $1 million and $1.2 million as a signing bonus, Bryant instead forewent the tender and, without knowing it, changed the future of baseball on the North Side of Chicago.