The Cubs may not start third baseman Kris Bryant in the minor leagues after all. Cubs manager Joe Maddon announced the rookie will play left field in Thursday's exhibition against the Angels.
"Talking to Kris on a one-on-one level he really wants the chance to play out there, which I kind of somewhat like," Maddon said, according to ESPNChicago.com. "He actually wanted to. That makes it easier."
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The 23-year-old slugger is expected to be a key player for the Cubs, who are a chic pick to contend for a World Series title this year. Bryant has put up big numbers this spring, hitting .464/.531/1.500 with nine home runs, two doubles and 15 RBIs in 28 at-bats entering Wednesday.
The Cubs are thinking about leaving the 6-5 Las Vegas native off their opening day roster and waiting a couple weeks to call him up. That would delay his eligibility for free agency by a year. But his breakout spring and pressure from his agent, Scott Boras, may have them reconsidering their stance.
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Bryant has played third base exclusively in his pro career, which began in 2013 when the Cubs selected him second overall in the MLB Draft.
"I'm up for whatever. I'm comfortable out there," he said, per ESPNChicago.com.