Kris Bryant, Carlos Correa justify hype with Rookie of the Year honors

Kris Bryant was a unanimous pick for National League Rookie of the Year after he hit.

Despite not being promoted to the Cubs from Triple-A Iowa until April 17, Bryant compiled arguably the most impressive season by a Cubs rookie in franchise rookie while quelling questions about his ability to play third base despite his 6-foot-5, 215-pound frame.

Bryant, 23, led all major league rookies with 99 RBI, 31 doubles and 87 runs scored.

Duffy earned second place votes from 22 of the 30 writers and got four third place votes for a total of 70 points.

Third baseman Matt Duffy of the Giants placed second in the balloting followed by Pirate Jung Ho Kang, Mets pitcher Noah Syndergaard, and Marlins first baseman Justin Bour. Meanwhile, Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa won the honor on the American League side. The next step for the Astros will nearly assuredly be to make an attempt to lock down Correa long-term and buy out his arbitration-eligible years, a tactic the team has attempted with other future (and now current) stars, a few successfully so (Jose Altuve) and a few not so much (Jonathan Singleton).

“I just went out there, played as hard as I can with a little chip on my shoulder. And really, he has an uncanny singular focus on winning today’s game when he shows up at the ballpark, and for a manager, that’s all I can ask out of our players”. Bryant hit. 275 with an on base percentage of. He also stole 13 bases.

“I don’t think there was any pressure for myself, just because you’re surrounded by (other young players)”, Bryant said.

The 23-year-old Cubs third baseman tied Joc Pederson of the Los Angeles Dodgers for the most home runs by a rookie with 26.

Houston’s only previous Rookie of the Year was Jeff Bagwell, who won the 1991 NL honor.

“I don’t necessarily think it was anything that really clicked for me”, said Bryant, who worked with hitting coach John Mallee on a drill for keeping his bat in the strike zone longer and cutting down on swings and misses in the zone.

Bryant is the Cubs’ sixth ROY victor and first since catcher Geovany Soto in 2008.

The Cubs had a number of young players that catapulted the Cubs to the elite teams in the league. “I certainly exceeded my expectations this year”.