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

Chicago Cubs: The one who got away

Looking back at the 2010 MLB Draft, it is easy to see the level of talent which was available and why the Blue Jays took the shot they did on Bryant. Bryant’s longtime friend Bryce Harper went first overall that year. A few picks later, Manny Machado heard his name called by the Baltimore Orioles.

Bryant thankfully had a strong support system behind him, where he never felt influenced by the money. Given his dad played in the Show, he understood how it played out and what it would have looked like had Bryant made that decision. Education was valued in the Bryant household, making it an easy choice to choose college.

The Blue Jays focus could have ultimately shifted had Bryant decided to sign out of high school. Five years after Bryant declined the offer, the team signed the top international prospect Vladimir Guerrero Jr., son of former Blue Jay great and Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero, to a multi-million dollar contract. Guerrero Jr. was just 16 years old at the time and is on the precipice of making his much-anticipated debut in 2019.