Cubs Draft 3rd Baseman Bryant From San Diego In First Round
(AP/CBS) – The Chicago Cubs on Thursday selected San Diego's Kris Bryant in the first round of the Major League Baseball draft.
With the No. 2 pick, the Cubs selected Bryant, who led Division I college players with 31 home runs this season. The 6-foot-5, 210-pound junior is a Golden Spikes finalist and Collegiate Baseball magazine's national player of year who also was leading the nation with 66 walks, 80 runs scored and an .820 slugging percentage.
"Kris had an incredible season at San Diego, hitting for both power and average," said Jason McLeod, Cubs Vice President of Scouting and Player Development. "He is a big, strong, athletic player, and we feel he has the attributes of someone who could fit into the middle of a lineup at the major league level. He has the ability to hit for average along with power to all parts of the park."
The Houston Astros selected Stanford pitcher Mark Appel with the No. 1 pick.
It was the fourth time the Astros had the No. 1 pick, and they joined Tampa Bay (2007-08) and Washington (2009-10) as teams to have the top selection in consecutive years. The draft order is determined by reverse finish -- worst to best -- in the overall standings from last season.
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