Kris Bryant of the Chicago Cubs was announced as the 2015 National League Rookie of the Year on Monday as chosen by the Baseball Writers' Association of America:
ESPN Stats & Info noted Bryant is the sixth Cubs player to win the award.
The Baseball Writers' Association of America passed along the final voting tallies:
Bryant was the favorite to take home this honor since the moment he stepped into the Cubs lineup in the middle of April. The third baseman certainly didn't disappoint as he smashed 26 homers, drove in 99 runs and posted a .369 on-base percentage in 151 games.
His strong play served as a key reason for Chicago's first postseason appearance since 2008, and the team's outlook moving forward is extremely promising, in no small part due to having him in the middle of the lineup. He's an MVP candidate in the making.
An underrated aspect of his rookie campaign was his willingness to play anywhere. Though he spent most of his time at third, he played 23 games elsewhere to help fill voids. That earned him praise from manager Joe Maddon, as noted by Jesse Rogers of ESPN.
"It comes down to the personal agenda of the player," Maddon said in September. "Bryant is about winning, only. He’s a real selfless player."
His all-around ability helped him add another piece of hardware to what's on pace to become a loaded trophy case by the time he's done.
He joins a recent group of winners in the National League that includes Buster Posey, Bryce Harper and Jacob deGrom. Those players are not only vitally important to their respective organizations, but they are some of the most impactful assets in baseball.
In turn, the burden on Bryant's shoulders is only going to increase moving forward. A terrific rookie season is the foundation for a long, successful career, but it doesn't guarantee one. While the talent is clearly there, it's going to take constant adjustments to keep thriving in 2016 and beyond.
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