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Levine: Kris Bryant's Position, Call-Up Date Are Fluid

By Bruce Levine--

WRIGLEY FIELD (CBS) -- The inevitable promotion of Kris Bryant may happen as soon as this weekend. The eventual position he plays most likely will be resolved at the major league level, and the ultimate judge of whether he slots into third base or a corner outfield spot will be Joe Maddon.

"Honestly, it's always collective," Maddon said, adding he hasn't been given a promotion date for Bryant from his bosses. "I really do listen a lot. At the end of the day, I will have to make the final decision. I really like to accumulate data. I will have strong opinions with him and what to do and how to do it. I will listen to the minor league people, major league people, the front office and evaluating people. Sometimes there is an attempt to put somebody (at a position) where there is a need.

"What I saw in spring training -- again I don't know enough -- is that he looked pretty good at third base."

Maddon said in spring training that he and his coaches have to be the final teachers of any player development for the team's top prospects. Plenty of good ones appear to be filtering through the Cubs organization.

The jury is still out on whether Bryant is the Cubs' future third baseman or left fielder. At the moment, the organization is mum on the issue. It's clear, however, that there are mixed opinions on the slugging 23-year-old Nevada native's defensive readiness.

"His arm played, his feet played," Maddon said about Bryant's defensive prowess at third base. "That is where I am at -- feet and hands when evaluating a player on defense or offense. The arm was strong and the hand caught the ball well enough. Again, I don't know enough. I am seeing him as a third baseman."

Bryant's a hard worker who believes he can handle the rigors of playing the hot corner in the big leagues. Scouts who have watched him take groundballs are impressed with the diligent routine he puts himself through before his teammates take batting practice.

Part of the reason Maddon was hired seems to revolve around his expertise in handling the final touches of development for near-ready prospects like Bryant and Javier Baez. On Tuesday, president of baseball operations Theo Epstein wasn't ready to commit to a call-up date for Bryant.

Certainly, a promotion by Saturday or Sunday for Bryant is possible. The addition is more feasible with the team down one infielder. Tommy La Stella was put on the DL on Tuesday. Third baseman Mike Olt has been dealing with a sore hand.

It's still quite possible that Bryant plays dual positions or exclusively outfield.

"Conversationally with him, he likes playing the outfield," Maddon said. "I thought that was interesting, because he does like to do that (as well). That is nice, if you can play him at two spots. It's kind of nice to have a player that young be willing to do more than one thing. I will be better able to make an evaluation of him after watching him in a major league game, around a major league clubhouse and when it counts. All of that stuff is totally different."

Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score and CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.

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