Kris Bryant: Utility Man?

Last year, Kris Bryant of the Chicago Cubs took home the National League Rookie of the Year trophy and was projected to have another huge season in his sophomore campaign.

Of course, Bryant has started off this year where he left off last year. Through 29 games, Bryant is hitting .299/.383/.504 on the year. It's the the start of another dominating season for the Cubs’ 3rd baseman.

Or is Bryant the 3rd baseman? In 2015, Bryant played a total of 165 games. 144 of those games were played at 3rd base, 19 of those were in the OF, 1 was at 1B, and 1 at DH. Bryant has started 29 games so far in 2016, 17 at 3rd, 12 games in RF or LF. This doesn't take into account the games that he has started either at 3rd or the OF and switched mid game to the other. Bryant has played 20 games at 3rd and 17 in the OF total.

Looking at his fielding, Bryant committed 17 errors in 1209.1 innings during his 2015 season. That's 1 error every 71 innings and a fielding percentage of .951. This season, Bryant has committed 3 errors in 145 innings of work. That averages out to 1 error every 45 innings and a fielding percentage of .938.

Are these stats showing Bryant has become a terrible fielding 3rd baseman? Not even close. But, he is only a 2nd year player. I'm wondering if all of that movement is necessary. Bryant is playing in the OF out of necessity. We all know of the season-ending knee injury to Kyle Schwarber, which has left a hole in LF for the Cubs, but there are several utility players on the roster than could help put a band aid over LF.

Ben Zobrist plays 2b, and has 25 RBI in the year. He played CF during his years in Tampa when Joe Maddon managed the team. Tommy La Stella plays 2nd base when Zobrist gets a day off and fills in for Bryant at 3rd when Bryant has LF duties. They have tried moving Javier Baez in the OF some, but he mostly plays at 2B. Jorge Soler is another guy the Cubs have who they have tried to put in RF and LF. His bat did not improve as much as the Cubs had hoped for to fully fill in for Schwarber.

The offense coming out of this team has been phenomenal. That's why Bryant has played in the OF. La Stella’s bat has been something of crazy coming out of the 6 hole, and that makes this whole Bryant position question easier to swallow. The Cubs have the young talent to really contend in the National League for years to come. With Bryant at 3rd, Anthony Rizzo at 1st, Addison Russel at SS, and Zobrist at 2nd, the Cubs have arguably the best infield in all of baseball.

My reason for writing this, is I hope this move is just out of necessity for offense and not something that tried to shift Bryant in the OF. I have more than total faith in Joe Maddon, and I know he’ll do the right thing with Bryant.

Alty
@ericaltenhof