MLB: Five Players With the Most to Prove This Season

MLB’s Most to Prove: Kris Bryant

Kris Byrant making this list should surprise no one. The former Rookie of the Year and league MVP hurt the Chicago Cubs a lot more than he helped them in 2020. He notched career lows across the board; his OBP dropped nearly 100 points from the year prior, and his SLG fell from .903 to .644. He went 0-for-8 in the Cubs’ two-and-out Wildcard round against the Miami Marlins.

The pressure is on in 2021 as he plays out the final year of his contract. Given the Cubs’ willingness to trade him this offseason, his future in Chicago seems bleak.

Had the Cubs surrendered to a rebuild, Bryant likely would have been dealt for prospects ahead of March. That may still be their plan, but they need a decent season from him to warrant a desirable return package for him at this year’s trade deadline.

Bryant’s most challenging campaign of his MLB career is forthcoming. He’ll catch wind of trade rumors through July, and the media won’t be afraid to pin him up against his left-side mate, Javy Baez, who is also on the last year of his contract and vying for an extension. Not to mention, Wrigley inhabitants (whenever they’re allowed back) are unlikely to bite their tongues when Bryant has a bad game.

There is doubt as to whether he can rise above the pressure. He did so in 2016 when his Cubs were flying high, and he knew nothing but winning. Though, 2021 presents an entirely different storm of adversity. Bryant would probably prefer the weight of a 108-year championship drought over a single year of isolation.

The darling of the Cubs organization must prove that 2020 was a fluke season. If he can play like he did in 2019, Chicago may rethink his future. At the very least, he’d be sitting much prettier as a free agent.