Aug. 18--With each game taking on greater importance with a playoff berth at stake, manager Joe Maddon frequently substitutes toward the end of games by employing his best defensive team.
But left untouched is 6-foot-5 rookie Kris Bryant, whose defense once was considered a liability dating back to spring training when he frequently spent several hours polishing all facets of his fielding prior to workouts and games.
Not only has Maddon left Bryant alone at third base, but his defensive prowess has been noticed around the National League.
Even Bryant was surprised when he learned that he was voted as the third-best defensive third baseman in the NL, according to a survey of managers conducted by Baseball America.
"Oh really?" Bryant replied. "Wow."
This ranking represents a source of pride for Bryant, 23, who has taken major strides to prove that he is more than just a slugger.
"I think it's really a testament to what has been my goal and what I've been focusing on and trying to be a complete player going back to spring training and being doubted a little bit at third base," Bryant said. "It fueled a little fire too."
Bryant's 14 errors are tied for the most among NL third baseman with Todd Frazier of the Reds and one more than Nolan Arenado of the Rockies.
Ironically, Arenado was voted as the top defensive third baseman, with Frazier second.
Bryant has experienced his share of growing pains, such as his dropped throw on a rundown Saturday. But he made up for his miscue by charging a slow grounder and firing to first to retire Carlos Sanchez with the tying run on base to end the sixth inning and protect a one-run lead as the Cubs went on to beat the White Sox 6-3.
"He's making some plays that he wasn't making earlier this season," said coach Gary Jones, who has worked with Bryant on his defense since spring training. "He's improved on slow rollers, his forehand and footwork. He's a tall guy, so he has to work a little harder to stay down because he's so lean and springy. But he's done a nice job."
The managers' evaluations are supported by statistics compiled by Fangraphs.com, which states that Bryant's range runs (RngR) is 6.4 -- the number of runs above average he is at third base, based on how he's able to get to balls in his vicinity.
Bryant also has all but eliminated the patting of his glove after fielding grounders and throwing to first base that used to make plays closer than necessary, an improvement that Jones credits to better footwork and a clean ball transfer.
"Sure, you're going to have your limitations when you're that tall," Bryant said. "Maybe not getting low or on side-to-side (movement). Maybe there's that one I dive for I get, rather than that 6-foot person. But at the same time, being 6-5, I've done enough with my body to keep that agile and be lighter on my feet. I got to keep working on that as I get older.
"You're probably going to slow down a bit. But it's cool to see that and to think that managers think that highly of me. It's not just my manager, who has all the belief in the world in me. We talk about it all the time. It's really cool to see other guys who believe in me. I certainly do. It's nice to see hard work paying off."
mgonzales@tribpub.com
