Kris Bryant is no stranger to awards.
In 2013, he was the College Player of the Year, in 2014 he was the Minor League Player of the Year, in 2015 he was the NL Rookie of the Year, and in 2016 he’s very likely headed towards his first NL MVP award.
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But we don’t have to wait for the results of the BBWAA voting in November to watch the Cubs’ young third baseman take home yet another honor:
Kris Bryant receives Hank Aaron Award as NL's top offensive player https://t.co/t3wkriaAkR via @MDGonzales pic.twitter.com/QLpJCFYZNQ
— ChicagoSports (@ChicagoSports) October 27, 2016
Kris Bryant has received the 2016 NL Hank Aaron Award, which recognizes the most outstanding offensive performer in his respective league. He won the award alongside David Ortiz, in an oddly (and oft-repeated) symbolic generational ceremony.
In 2016, Bryant slashed .292/.385/.554 with 39 home runs, 121 runs scored, and 102 RBI – coming up just one plate appearance shy of 700.
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Although he didn’t lead many individual categories – fourth in wOBA (.396), fourth in wRC+ (149), fourth in ISO (.262), fourth in slugging (.554), third in homers (39) – Bryant was so consistently near the top of every stat across the board that he finished with the highest overall offensive rating in the National League (49.1). That’s the best in the NL and second best in baseball, behind only Mike Trout.
Throw in above-average base running abilities and instincts, and you have – by far – the most distinguished offensive performer in the National League. Kris Bryant is something special.