Kris Bryant's injury-plagued 2018 represented his worst season since arriving in the big leagues in 2015.
His work this year to bounce back had perhaps remained under the radar until Tuesday night, when he launched a walk-off three-run home run against the Marlins.
KRIS BRYANT: A PROBLEM.
— Sporting News MLB (@sn_mlb) May 8, 2019
He hits a walk-off home run.pic.twitter.com/cv0icCv7WI
For the Cubs third baseman, it looks like a return to his pre-2018 form is about complete.
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Bryant, now seemingly recovered from his shoulder problems, is walking more often and striking out less this season. In fact, his BB/K ratio (0.78) is a career high. That's a sure sign he's feeling more comfortable at the plate, and he acknowledged as much Tuesday night.
"I feel like I've been locked in the past couple of weeks," Bryant told NBC Sports Chicago after the game. "The results weren't always there, the swings were there and the approach was there."
His power is also back — and had been there even before the walk-off blast. He's up to six home runs this year, including three in his past three games.
Bryant is one of the main reasons the Cubs (20-13) have been able to brush aside their struggles over the first couple of weeks and take ownership of first place in the NL Central. If he continues at this pace, he could even become a MVP candidate behind Christian Yelich and potentially Cody Bellinger.
In any case, his rebound this season should inspire hope for Chicago as it tries to fend off the Brewers and Cardinals for the division over the next four months.