It was inevitable, but the Chicago Cubs re-assigned infielder Kris Bryant to minor-league camp on Monday morning.
Bryant posted outstanding numbers this spring, but the Cubs made the decision in order to control his service time and ensure that the highly-touted third baseman does not become a free agent until after the 2021 season.
The 23-year-old Bryant hit .425/.477/1.175 with 15 RBI, 14 strikeouts and an MLB-best nine home runs this spring. The Cubs are expected to wait two or three weeks before selecting Bryant’s contract and adding him to the MLB roster.
The Cubs infielder is widely considered to be the best hitting prospect in the majors. Baseball America ranked him as the No. 1 prospect entering the 2015 season.
The Toronto Blue Jays originally drafted the 6-foot-5 Bryant out of high school in the 18th round of the 2010 MLB Draft. Instead of signing, he decided to attend the University of San Diego, a decision that paid off when he was selected in the first round (second overall) by the Cubs in 2013.
The Cubs also sent down infielder Javier Baez to triple-A Iowa and re-assigned infielder Addison Russell to minor-league camp.
Entering spring training, Baez was competing for the everyday second base job, but he struck out 20 times in 55 spring training plate appearances. He hit .169/.227/.324 with nine home runs, 20 RBI and 95 strikeouts in 229 plate appearances with Chicago in 2014.
With Bryant and Baez out of the picture, the Cubs are expected to open the season with Mike Olt at third base and either Tommy La Stella or Arismendy Alcantara at second base.
