Smokies Alum Kris Bryant Promoted To Cubs
The Chicago Cubs announced Friday the club has purchased the contract of 2014 Smokies third baseman Kris Bryant, and he will join the Major League club for their contest this afternoon against the San Diego Padres at Wrigley Field. First pitch for that game is scheduled for 2:20 p.m. ET., with Bryant slated to hit cleanup and play third base.
The Las Vegas, Nevada native last season began his first full professional career in East Tennessee with the Smokies, exciting fans with his prodigious power. The right-handed slugger played in 68 games for Tennessee, compiling a .355 batting average (88-248) with 22 home runs and 58 RBI, before being promoted to Triple-A Iowa during the Southern League's All-Star Break. At the time of his transfer, the 23-year-old was pacing the circuit in most offensive categories, including runs (61), hits, batting average, homers, RBI, walks (43), extra-base hits (42), total bases (174), on-base percentage .458), slugging percentage (.702) and on-base plus slugging percentage (1.160).
Bryant's Smokies career had many memorable moments, starting from his first Double-A at bat on April 3, 2014, when he crushed a two-run home run off rehabbing Cincinnati Reds hurler Mat Latos in Pensacola, to one of his final times wearing the uniform during the Southern League Home Run Derby. The third baseman slugged 16 longballs over three rounds, including eight in the first round and four in the next two subsequent rounds. He would also record his first multi-homer game of his pro career at Smokies Stadium on May 7 versus the Birmingham Barons, blasting two longballs.
Overall last season between Tennessee and Iowa, the slugger was named the Joe Bauman Award winner for blasting a Minor League best 43 home runs, while also driving in 110 RBI and recording a .325 batting average. He was tabbed the Chicago Cubs' Minor League Player of the Year at season's end, while many publications including ESPN, Yahoo Sports and Baseball America honored Bryant as the Minor League Player of the Year. Prior to the 2015 campaign, Baseball America also named the Nevada native as the publication's top overall prospect in the game.
When he makes his debut, Bryant will become the second 2014 Smoky to begin his Major League career after southpaw reliever Andrew McKirahan pitched in his first contest with the Atlanta Braves on April 12th. He will also become the 52nd Smokies alum to make his Major League debut with the Chicago Cubs since the Smokies began their affiliate with Chicago at the start of the 2007 campaign.
The 2015 Smokies continue their season this evening at Smokies Stadium with a doubleheader, with the first game set to begin at 5:30 p.m. ET. Tennessee is expected to give the ball to RHP Ivan Pineyero (0-0, 6.75) in game one, while Pensacola is scheduled to send out RHP Daniel Wright (0-1, 20.25). LHP Jeffry Antigua (NR) is slated to get the nod in the nightcap for the Smokies, while RHP Tim Adleman (0-1, 1.50) is set to take the hill for the Blue Wahoos.
It's the first Remote Area Medical Friday Fireworks night of the season, with post-game fireworks courtesy of Pepsi, Coors Light, Dollywood's Splash Country, WVLT, WIVK and the Knoxville News-Sentinel. It's also the first College Colors Night of the season, with spring football in full swing in Tennessee. Fans are encouraged to dress in their favorite college colors at the game, with fight songs from various schools playing throughout the evening.
Fans not able to attend can catch the broadcast of both games tonight online at smokiesbaseball.com, as well as on MiLB.tv and via the MiLB First Pitch and TuneIn Radio apps. The Pilot Pre-Game Show with Mick Gillispie and Justin Rocke is scheduled to begin at 5:15 p.m.
Tickets for tonight and the rest of the five-game homestand are on sale, and can be purchased online at smokiesbaseball.com, or by calling the Smokies Ticket Office at 865-286-2300. Multi-game voucher packs and season tickets are also still available.
ABOUT THE TENNESSEE SMOKIES
The Tennessee Smokies are the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. Members of the ten-team Southern League, Smokies baseball has been entertaining families and fans of America's national pastime in the East Tennessee region for over 100 years. To learn more about the Tennessee Smokies, visit www.smokiesbaseball.com.
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