Kris Bryant, a versatile former MVP and three-time All-Star, could beat an average kid in most competitions.
Not rock-paper-scissors.
“I went paper twice, and he went scissors twice,” said Bryant, breaking down his game plan at St. Louis. “I thought I could outsmart a 10-year-old, but I got played.”
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Chicago sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
Games of rock-paper-scissors are now part of Bryant’s new normal as a regular member of the Cubs outfield. After playing some of the best third-base defense of his career last year, Bryant has played most of this season in the grass in due to a string of outfield injuries.
At Pittsburgh on Tuesday, Bryant is starting in right field for the 11th time this year. He’s also played left field (14 games, 11 starts), center (8,5) and first base (4,2). Bryant began the season with third base (15 games, 14 starts) as his primary position, but he hasn’t played the hot corner since April 20.
“Ready for anything that is thrown my way,” said Bryant, who brings four different gloves on road trips. “But I'm really enjoying playing the outfield right now. It's really something.
“You get to different cities, and you hear certain things in the outfield. And then there's always a bunch of kids out there, and they just want a wave or something. It's a completely different game than third base. I'm really appreciating it.”
MLB
Bryant is thriving on the offensive side too. He entered play Tuesday with 25 extra-base hits, tied for second in the National League. His 1.009 OPS is in the NL’s top 3.