Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant set a franchise record when he hit a three-run home run off of Pittsburgh Pirates starter Trevor Williams during Chicago's 16-6 rout of the Pirates on Sunday afternoon.
The blast gave Bryant 137 career homers, the most for any Cubs player in their first five seasons in the MLB:
.@KrisBryant_23 sets a new franchise record for most home runs in the first five years of his career (137)!#KBoom #EverybodyIn pic.twitter.com/4Cok3rARIz
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) September 15, 2019
Bryant passed the old mark set by Cubs legend and Hall of Fame shortstop Ernie Banks. Bryant homered yet again in the third inning.
After being selected with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2013 MLB June Amateur Draft, Bryant was hailed as one of best prospects in franchise history. He would finally be promoted in 2015, and made quite the impression by winning National League Rookie of the Year.
In 2016, Bryant became just the fourth player in MLB history to win Rookie of the Year and MVP in consecutive seasons while also leading the Cubs to their first World Series title in 108 years. Bryant led the NL in runs scored (121) while hitting 39 homers and posting a 146 OPS+ value.
After another successful season in 2017, Bryant was hampered by a shoulder injury during 2018, playing just 102 games and flailing in September as the Cubs collapsed down the stretch.
Bryant has returned to form this season, and he was especially hot during the weekend series against the Pirates. The 27-year-old racked up seven hits and three homers in three games, and now he has made history by passing a beloved Cubs legend.
Chicago needs Bryant to keep raking. Anthony Rizzo left Sunday's game with an ankle sprain, and the team will be without Javier Baez for the remainder of the regular season.
The Cubs are within striking distance (two games) of the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Central, but they need Kris Bryant needs to anchor a lineup that has been prone to inconsistency all season long.
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