In a season where the Chicago Cubs made headlines for winning 97 games and making the playoffs, one player rose above everyone else on that roster and was consistently written and talked about, Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant.
Bryant was unanimously named the 2015 National League Rookie of the Year, just the 20th player ever to do that, after posting some tremendous numbers. In 151 games, he recorded 154 hits, 26 home runs, 99 runs batted in, 13 stolen bases a .275 batting average and a .369 on-base-percentage. His 26 home runs set a Cubs rookie record, and his 99 runs batted in led all rookies.
Ranked as baseball’s top prospect entering the season, Bryant spent just seven games in the minor leagues before being called up, and didn’t take long to make a impact. In fact, his impact is Hall of Fame-esque. Seriously.
He joined Ted Williams as the only player to hit 25+ home runs, draw 75+ walks and score 85+ runs in the same year of the player’s debut.
The American League award went to Carlos Correa, shortstop for the Astros, and just the second Astro to win the award, joining Jeff Bagwell. Correa played in just 99 games, but in that span, hit 22 home runs, 22 doubles, drew 40 walks, and stole 14 bases. Correa’s power was well known, finishing with a .512 slugging percentage.
After Mark Appel failed to do much of anything, people were skeptical about first overall picks by the Houston Astros. Correa proved the doubters wrong, and put the questions to rest- he’s here to stay and will be a force in the American League for a long time.
Main Image: MESA, AZ – MARCH 09: Kris Bryant #76 of the Chicago Cubs warms up before the game against the San Diego Padres on March 9, 2015 in Mesa, Arizona. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)
