MLB drafts: 10 best selections from 2012-16
By Bill Felber
MLB draft: 10 best selections from 2012-16
2. Kris Bryant (2013 draft), 4.18 average WAR
So highly thought of was Bryant coming out of the University of San Diego that it was surprising when the Astros, with the first pick of the 2013 draft, bypassed him in favor of a pitcher named Mark Appel. How’d that one work out?
The Cubs, with the second pick, used no time at all to gobble up Bryant, who has spent the ensuing six seasons making the Astros regret their judgment.
A .329 hitter with 31 home runs in college, Bryant famously spent parts of four seasons ‘proving’ himself in the minors before the Cubs promoted him late in April of 2015. Once in Chicago, he was an immediate star, hitting 26 home runs and driving in 99 runs as a rookie, good enough to win the Rookie of the Year Award.
One season later, when he helped take the Cubs to their first World Series victory in 108 seasons, Bryant hit 39 home runs, drove in 102 and batted .292. National League voters were sufficiently impressed to make him the Most Valuable Player.
Bryant’s 7.4 WAR that season remains his career-best, although at 6.1 he approached it in 2018. In part due to injuries, he has been less productive since then, but he still batted a credible .282 with 31 home runs in 2019.