Chicago Cubs slugger Kris Bryant has been struggling at the plate for the better part of a year. However, recently he made one slight change that might have just turned everything around.
One month ago it seemed as if a healthy Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant wasn’t going to make a difference, as his struggles continued into a second consecutive year. In 2018 the 2016 MVP played in just 102 games, hit for an average of .272, blasted a career-worst 13 home runs and drove in only 52 runs.
Fast forward to 2019. Experts expected Bryant to be back to his old self, but that wasn’t the case. In April Bryant was not making any improvement. In April, Kris hit for an average of just .218, hit two homers and had 9 RBIs.
Then the calendar turned to the month of May and everything changed. This month Bryant has hit five home runs, has a batting average of .333 and has driven in 13 runs. Oh, and for good measure, Bryant also has a 22-game on base streak.
That's a career high 22 straight game reaching base for Kris Bryant. Longest streak in the majors right now.
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) May 12, 2019
In the month Bryant also did this:
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This moment was the moment that told Major League Baseball Fans the MVP was back for now. But what made the change?
According to Kris Bryant, it may have been a change of lumber.
Bryant has begun using an Axe Bat.
"“It was just one day, ‘I’m going to bring this (Axe Bat) as my extra,'” Bryant told The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma. “Usually when you break your bat, it’s when you put a ball in play and you’re out or get a hit or whatever. It’s not a foul ball. So the bat boy brings it to me and I’m like, ‘OK, I’m just going to use this.’ First swing, home run. And I was like, ‘Oh, OK, I’ll stick with it.’ And I have since then and I just feel really good about my swing.”"
As the name may suggest the Axe Bat has a handle shaped like the end of an Axe. It’s meant to help with your grip. However, Bryant doesn’t know what it is.
Again talking with Sharma, Kris Bryant explained that he has just been having better at-bats.
"“I’ve been having good at-bats, so I don’t know if it’s the bat or what, but it’s always nice to use a new one and hit a homer.”"
Whatever it may be the Chicago Cubs have appreciated his help. Since a 2-7 start, Chicago now holds the best winning percentage in the National League and hold a two-game lead over the Milwaukee Brewers in the division. The season is a long way from being over but the 24-14 Cubbies are looking like the big dogs in the NL Central once again. Time will tell.