Kris Bryant: A Record-Breaking Rookie Chris Schwarz, Staff Writer This year, history happened For only the second time in Feature MLB history, a player, born and raised in Vegas, won Rookie of the Year. Kris Bryant, infielder for the Chicago Cubs, is the 2015 Rookie of the Year win- ner. The only other time a Vegas player won was in 2012 when Nationals outfielder and Bry- ant’s former teammate, Bryce Harper, won. Bryant was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the 2013 draft with the second overall draft pick. On April 17, 2015, Bry- ant had his MLB Debut. Bryant went 0-4 with three strikeouts, but made a good play. Post- game, Joe Madden, the man- ager for the Cubs joked “Well, we did bring him (Bryant) up for his glove.” According to MLB.com, Bry- ant had his first hit April 18, 2015, a RBI single. Bryant’s first grand slam came on June 17 in the 17-0 win against the Photo courtesy of Photosforclass.com Cleveland Indians. On July 4, Bryant getting ready with his National League teamates for the All-Star game. he had a two home run game The All-Star game this year was held at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati. with another grand slam. He is the first player since 1961 to hit for the US Collegiate National “His best quality is his two grand slams in his rookie team. As a junior in 2013, he mindset and work ethic, he is year. On Sept. 2, Bryant hit a hit 31 home runs to lead the always 110% on and off the 495 foot homerun, the longest nation. It was also the most hit field.” said Alec. of the MLB season. He finished since players had to use com- Bryant was named high the year with 26 home runs, the posite bats in 2011. According school salutatorian, but allowed most of any Cubs rookie ever. to UniversityofSanDiego.com a classmate to have it when he He also broke a record for most Kris won the Golden Spikes found out how much she want- RBI’s(runs batted in) by a Cubs award and the Dick Howser ed it. In college, he majored rookie ever with 99. These are award, both awarded to the top in biology before switching to the record-breaking stats that college player in the nation. finance. He and Bryce Harper won Bryant the title of National Bryant’s life has been filled grew up as acquaintances in League Rookie of the Year. with baseball and hard work. the Las Vegas, and began play- Scouted by the Toronto Blake Barrett, a Faith seventh ing baseball together when Blue Jays out of Bonanza high grader has known Bryant for they were nine. They greeted school, Bryant rejected the of- about 5 years,“Kris is the kind each other for the first time in fer and focused on his educa- of guy that if he borrows your the MLB together in May, when tion. Instead, went and played car he will always bring it back the nationals played at Wrigley for the University of San Diego. with a full tank of gas.” field. When they played togeth- As a sophomore, he was se- Alec Barrett, seventh grader, er, Harper gave him the nick- lected by USA baseball to play also knows Bryant personally. name “Silk.” # Vol. 16, Issue 2 - November 30, 2015.