During the 2022 offseason, third baseman/outfielder Kris Bryant and the Colorado Rockies agreed upon a seven-year, $182 million contract. Since arriving in Colorado, Bryant has been severely injury-riddled. He’s played in 120 out of 324 games the past two seasons as the 2016 National League MVP has been looking to resurge. Bryant has vowed that “better days are ahead” for him and possibly his Rockies team. We hope this means for the sake of his play and the Rockies as a whole. The fans in Colorado are eagerly waiting for a team that could legitimize the future of this franchise for the next decade. Bryant is the clear leader, and with many young prospects looking to make an immediate impact, he needs to guide this team properly on and off the field.
Rockies Leader Kris Bryant Is Ready for Redemption
During the 2022 and 2023 seasons, Kris Bryant combined for 119 hits, 15 home runs, and 46 runs batted in. The 2016 World Series champ missed the last two months of the 2022 season due to plantar fasciitis and a bruised bone in his right foot. He missed 44 games of the 2023 season because of a fractured finger. Since playing in Colorado, Bryant has switched from playing third base to now the outfield—primarily left or right field. Kris believes he can still be the player the Colorado Rockies planned and needed him to be. The Rockies finished 59-103 this past season, their worst record in franchise history. The 2016 NL MVP will have to galvanize the troops and reestablish this team’s hopes even in a tough and competitive NL West division. Perhaps these better days will come along sooner than expected.
Bryant Vows “Better Days” Are Ahead After Rough 2022 and 2023 Seasons
During the 2022 season, Kris Bryant put up 49 hits, five home runs, and 14 runs batted in. Within 42 games and 160 at-bats, the 2016 World Series champion had a batting average of .306, a .376 on-base percentage, and slugged .475. Bryant played in 80 games during the 2023 season. Kris had 300 at-bats last season, recording 70 hits, 10 home runs, and 31 runs batted in. His averages were significantly lower from the 2022 season. The 2016 NL MVP batted .233, with an on-base percentage of .313, while slugging .367. Bryant’s best game of the 2023 season was on September 12th against the Cincinnati Reds. He went two for four with a walk, two hits, a home run, and three runs batted in during a 6-4 win.
Bryant has only hit 30-plus home runs in his career twice. Kris’ stats in the playoffs are relatively similar to his regular season stats. His last time playing in the postseason was in 2021 with the Giants. The 2016 NL MVP went eight for 17 with a home run and two runs batted in. During Bryant’s MVP season, the Cub’s 2016 World Series run, the former infielder, now outfielder, went 20 for 65 at the plate with three home runs and eight runs batted in. Colorado is still hoping Kris Bryant will still be the guy to help this team get back into postseason action. He hopes to reach those numbers and the postseason again in 2024, especially after vowing that better days are ahead.
Main Photo Credits: Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
