Kris Bryant Significantly Improved Contact AND Power Last Year and Other Bullets

Feb 19, 2017

I’m on my way back home after a rain-soaked visit to Arizona that didn’t feature any actual Spring Training, but did feature a Tom Ricketts interview (and an impromptu interview with one of the Cubs’ folks behind the @Cubs Twitter account).

Cubs Insider is rolling out a multi-part interview with Mike Bryant, aka Kris Bryant’s dad, aka Kris Bryant’s swing instructor, and it’s a must-read situation. Last year at this time, there was a whole lot of attention paid to the “leveling” of Bryant’s swing, theoretically intended to cut down on some of the swing and miss in his game (and it would also have the byproduct of maintaining power production regardless of any weather conditions at Wrigley Field). Sure enough, Bryant’s contact rate soared from 66.3% in his rookie year (worst among all qualifiers) to 73.3% in his MVP sophomore campaign (still in the bottom 25 in baseball, but hardly a level where you’re concerned that it will derail his production (obviously)). Moreover, Bryant’s strikeout rate dropped from 30.6% in 2015 (third highest in baseball) to just 22.0% in 2016, which was barely higher than league average (21.1%). Most importantly, it wasn’t mere contact Bryant was making – after all, many players could improve their contact rate and drop their strikeout rate if they sacrificed a little of the power they could otherwise generate in the process. Not Bryant. Not only did his power not suffer for the increased contact, the dude actually *increased* his ISO by nearly 50(!) points.

[adinserter block=”1″]

Even if you set aside the other ways Bryant’s game improved in 2016, the significant improvement in contact while also significantly improving power production was jaw-dropping. That’s the kind of thing only the truly elite can pull off, and Bryant is clearly among them. But you already knew this. His 2016 MVP award was no fluke, and he should enter 2017 the favorite to repeat.

More on the development of Willson Contreras as the Cubs’ starting catcher, including his expected work with Jon Lester.

A great read from Andrew McCutchen at the Player’s Tribune about his offseason, which featured endless trade rumors and speculation (what’s it like for a player to constantly live under the expectation that he’ll be traded somewhere?), and then being informed that he was being moved from his long-time position in center field to right field. McCutchen’s affection for Pittsburgh is strong, and through that lens, it was a particularly difficult offseason for him.

Baseball players are receiving barbed-wire-covered baseball bats, and I am scared. Wonder which Cubs player is gonna get one of these.

Earlier, if you missed it, the Cubs want to get you HYPED with a new hype video using the “That’s Cub” slogan.

[adinserter block=”2″]

A whole bunch of Kindle books are a deal of the day at Amazon, except the Amazon thing I’m compelled to share with you today is a “wow that exists” situation, which sprouted up because of this joke I made on Twitter during a boring Slam Dunk contest:

#BetterDunk pic.twitter.com/j13khNTT81

— Brett Taylor (@BleacherNation) February 19, 2017

To which BN’er Courtney, sensing my cold and gross fingers, tweeted this:

https://twitter.com/court1079/status/833165792728510464

And sure enough, Courtney’s right. Here’s the Oreo dipper (that’s the five pack, because savings!), for which the reviews are amazing:

https://twitter.com/BleacherNation/status/833321233794031618

[adinserter block=”3″]

written by

Brett Taylor

Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

more cubs news

Chicago Cubs

Do the Cubs Have a Scoring-Late Problem?

Once a month since August of 2016, my friends and I get together for "Supper Club." It's like book club, but instead of reading books, we go to a different restaurant in the city. Last night, we hit our 77th...

Michael Cerami

Apr 25, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Enhanced Box Score: Cubs 4, Astros 3 – April 24, 2024

The Cubs did all their scoring in the first, and made it stand up for the win with generally good pitching and generally good defense. Jameson Taillon looked solid again in his second start, locating well, giving up no barrels,...

Brett Taylor

Apr 25, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Dansby Swanson with a First Inning Three-Run Homer

For the second straight night, the Cubs are jumping all over the Astros in the first inning. After a couple hits from Nico Hoerner and Ian Happ to get things going, Michael Busch hit a sac fly, Christopher Morel walked,...

Brett Taylor

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Welcome Back to Iowa, Brennen Davis: Rocket Homer in His First Game Post-Rehab

What a road it's been - continues to be - for Cubs outfield prospect Brennen Davis. The former top prospect was on a rocket ship to Triple-A in 2021, and then mostly lost the last two years to various injuries....

Brett Taylor

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

CRAAAAAP: Cody Bellinger to the Injured List (UPDATES)

So much for all those words of optimism and negative X-rays. After colliding with the outfield wall last night, Cody Bellinger fractured his rib (Update: It's actually TWO fractured right ribs) and will hit the injured list today. Chicago Cubs...

Michael Cerami

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Chicago Cubs Lineup: What is it, June 2023?

CUBS LINEUP — The Chicago Cubs took Game 1 against the Houston Astros in convincing fashion last night. So tonight, they'll go for the quick series win against Spencer Arrighetti at Wrigley Field (it'd be a good idea to win...

Michael Cerami

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Bellinger Optimistic Post-Injury, Busch’s Defense, Almonte Stock Rising, Tauchman Slugging, and Other Cubs Bullets

Ed. Note: Since this article was published, a CT scan revealed a rib fracture for Cody Bellinger, who is now on the Injured List. You can find all the details of that news in our most recent article right here....

Michael Cerami

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cubs Outfield Prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong Coming Up

With Cody Bellinger headed to the Injured List with a rib fracture, the Cubs are in need of another outfielder: center field prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong is coming back up to the big leagues for the second time. https://twitter.com/670TheScore/status/1783217891195625709 Crow-Armstrong, 22,...

Brett Taylor

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Is Mike Tauchman the Best Player in Baseball? An Exploration

Hey, we're just having some early-season fun. So allow me to present the 'Mike Tauchman Is Clearly Better Than' list. As of this moment, Mike Tauchman has ... ... a higher wRC+ (151) than Pete Alonso, Fernando Tatis Jr., and...

Brett Taylor

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cubs Farm Report | April 24, 2024: Kevin Alcántara Cannot Miss Right Now

Name a player hotter than Kevin Alcántara right now. Go ahead, I'll wait. (He's already raking again today. Literally as I type this.) More on Alcántara's big day and the Smokies home run parade last night in today's Cubs Farm...

Patrick K. Flowers

Apr 24, 2024

Betting

Latest 2024 NFL Draft Specials, Top Props, and More For the First Round Tonight

As the 2024 NFL Draft unfolds tonight, the sports betting landscape is buzzing with anticipation. Fans and bettors alike are gearing up for one of the most exciting events in the football calendar, with a plethora of draft specials, prop...

Andy Molitor

Apr 25, 2024

Betting

What is a Spread Bet? Understanding the Popular Bet Type

One of the most popular bets in all of sports betting is the spread. What is it? A spread bet is a wager on the margin of victory in a game. Let's dive into the popular bet type and break...

Sam Russell

Apr 25, 2024

The Kansas City Chiefs have the 32nd overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

NFL

2024 Kansas City Chiefs Big Board: Potential First-Round Fits Including Receiver and Tackle

What does one back-to-back Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs team do the next year in the NFL Draft? It’s highly speculated that they will fill their pass-catching holes with an elite wide receiver, or possibly bolster the offensive line...

Jennifer Eakins

Apr 25, 2024

Picks

Best NBA Prop Bets Today – April 25, 2024

In a Thursday NBA playoff schedule that includes three competitive matchups, the Denver Nuggets versus the Los Angeles Lakers is a game to see.Searching for NBA player prop bets for today's games? This article features NBA player props for every...

Data Skrive

Apr 25, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Do the Cubs Have a Scoring-Late Problem?

Michael Cerami

Apr 25, 2024

Chicago Bears

Happy NFL Draft Day! (And Other Bears Bullets)

Today is the day we've been waiting for since the NFL regular season ended. It's NFL Draft Day! The Chicago Bears have the first pick. Unless something unexpected happens, it'll be USC quarterback Caleb Williams getting the nod. Now that...

Luis C. Medina

Apr 25, 2024

Picks

Dodgers vs. Nationals Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, April 25, 2024

After a four-hit game last time out, Will Smith leads the Los Angeles Dodgers (15-11) as -199 favorites against the Washington Nationals (10-13). Action gets underway from Nationals Park at 4:05 PM ET on Thursday, live on MLB Network.Los Angeles'...

Data Skrive

Apr 25, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Enhanced Box Score: Cubs 4, Astros 3 – April 24, 2024

Brett Taylor

Apr 25, 2024

Picks

Mariners vs. Rangers Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, April 25, 2024

Expect a display of power when Caleb Raleigh (6 HR) and the Seattle Mariners (12-12) take on Adolis Garcia (7 HR) and the Texas Rangers (13-12) at Globe Life Field at 2:35 PM ET live on BSSW. Raleigh and the...

Data Skrive

Apr 25, 2024

Picks

Padres vs. Rockies Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, April 25, 2024

The San Diego Padres will take the field against the Colorado Rockies (6-19) on Thursday. The game begins at 3:10 PM ET on SDPA, with the Padres listed as -150 favorites on the moneyline.San Diego's Randy Vasquez gets the start,...

Data Skrive

Apr 25, 2024

Kris Bryant Significantly Improved Contact AND Power Last Year and Other Bullets

Read More

more cubs news

Latest News

more cubs news

Most Popular

Most Popular

Latest News

Most Popular

Most Popular