What is Kris Bryant‘s Number? An In-Depth Look at the Cubs Star

For devoted fans of the Chicago Cubs, few players have been more iconic over the past decade than Kris Bryant wearing the number 17 jersey. Since being drafted second overall in 2013, Bryant has built a legendary career hitting home runs and making clutch plays while sporting his signature #17. Let‘s take a deeper look at what the number has meant for Bryant‘s identity.

Bryant‘s Accolades Wearing #17

In just 7 seasons playing for the Cubs, Bryant racked up a resume of accolades that puts him among the franchise greats:

• 2015 NL Rookie of the Year
  • Set Cubs rookie record with 26 home runs
  • Batted .275 with 99 RBIs and 87 runs scored
  • Ranked 2nd in NL in homers behind Nolan Arenado‘s 42
• 2016 NL MVP
  • Led NL with 7.7 bWAR and 8.4 fWAR
  • Batted .292/.385/.554 slash line with 39 HRs and 102 RBIs
  • Joined Ernie Banks as only Cubs players to win ROY and MVP
• 2016 World Series Champion
  • Ended 108-year title drought for Cubs
  • Batted .308 with 3 home runs and 8 RBIs in World Series
  • Fielded final out at 3rd base to seal Game 7 victory
• 4x All-Star (2015, 2016, 2019, 2021)
• 4x Silver Slugger Award Winner (2015, 2016, 2018, 2021)

In terms of individual performance, Bryant‘s five seasons from 2015-2019 rank among the greatest stretches in Cubs history. He was the NL version of Mike Trout – a generational talent changing the fortunes of a long-struggling franchise.

The Meaning Behind Bryant‘s #17

So why did Bryant choose the number 17 when he first joined the Cubs? For him, it carried important personal significance:

"I wore #23 in college but that was retired for Ryne Sandberg here. My dad wore #17 in high school and college so I thought it would be cool to carry on the tradition."

Wearing his father‘s old number was a way for Bryant to honor his dad and his influence in developing Kris into a baseball star. Continuing the family legacy with the #17 jersey was just natural.

Number 17 also connected Bryant to some of the great third basemen in Cubs history like Ron Santo, Bill Madlock, Bill Buckner and Aramis Ramirez. Adding his own chapter to the Cubs third base lore made #17 feel right.

"I‘m honored to wear a number that so many legends have worn here too. Big shoes to fill but I‘m going to give it my best."

Clearly Bryant felt #17 just embodied his identity as a new Cubs star honoring the past and striving for greatness.

Bryant‘s Salary and Contract History with Cubs

In addition to his on-field stats, Bryant also put up impressive numbers on his contracts and salary earnings with the Cubs:

• 2015 – $570,500 salary
• 2016 – $652,000 salary
• 2017 – $1.05 million salary
• 2018 – $10.85 million salary
• 2019 – $12.9 million salary
• 2020 – $18.6 million salary
• 2021 – $19.5 million salary

After starting on standard rookie minimums, Bryant saw his salary grow quickly into the multi-millions thanks to his elite performance and accolades.

His record $10.85 million deal in 2019 set the mark for the highest arbitration salary ever for a player. But despite putting up MVP-caliber numbers year after year, Bryant and the Cubs could never agree on a long-term extension.

This lack of a long-term deal ultimately paved the way for Bryant to test free agency and sign with the Rockies. But Chicago definitely got outstanding value from Bryant‘s production compared to the $52M total they paid him over 7 seasons.

Bryant‘s Monster Free Agent Deal with the Rockies

As a free agent for the first time entering 2022, Bryant was highly coveted by multiple teams but ultimately chose to sign a massive seven-year, $182 million contract with the Colorado Rockies.

This deal shattered the previous record for a Rockies free agent signing. It also gave Bryant the long-term security he couldn‘t find in Chicago.

Some notable details about his Rockies mega-deal:

• $26 million average annual salary makes him MLB‘s 7th highest paid player

• Opt-out clauses after 2023 and 2024 give him flexibility to seek more money

• Reunites with close friend and superstar SS Trevor Story in Colorado

• Chance to thrive hitting at Coors Field appealed to Bryant

The combination of a huge payday and opportunity to mash in the thin air of Denver made Colorado the perfect landing spot for Bryant‘s next chapter.

"The friendships I‘ve built with Trevor Story and other guys here plus getting to hit at Coors really made Colorado an easy decision for me and my family," Bryant explained.

Projecting Bryant‘s Performance for the Rockies

In signing Bryant, the Rockies are certainly hoping they aren‘t just getting a past-his-prime former MVP. When healthy, he remains one of baseball‘s most complete players. Here‘s a look at reasonable expectations for Bryant‘s performance in 2022 and beyond with Colorado:

Offense

• .270/.370/.510 slash line with 30+ home runs and 100 RBIs

• Batting 2nd or 3rd in lineup behind Charlie Blackmon

• Coors Field boost could add 5-10 homers to his totals

Defense

• Gold Glove-caliber defense still at age 30

• Excellent reaction and instincts at third base

• Rockies‘ shifty infield defense perfectly suits his skills

Leadership

• Mentor young hitters like Elehuris Montero

• Lead by example with professional approach

• Light clubhouse presence to keep teammates loose

Bryant may not challenge for another MVP right away in the competitive NL West. But he should instantly become an All-Star level performer again for the Rockies at the plate, in the field, and behind the scenes.

Is Bryant Healthy for the Rockies This Season?

After being limited to 102 games last season, durability is a mild concern for Bryant entering 2022. But so far in Spring Training, he‘s looked completely healthy and ready to be a key run producer in Colorado‘s dangerous lineup.

"My body feels great right now. I put a lot of work this offseason into injury prevention and strengthening," Bryant noted. "I‘ll be ready to play 155-plus games and get back to being a big contributor."

Bryant has participated fully in practices with no restrictions, showing off his smooth athleticism at third base and comfort hitting at altitude in Arizona.

Barring any fluke injuries, Bryant should be back to providing his typical elite production now that he‘s recovered from the setbacks of 2021. With the Universal DH adopted in the NL, the Rockies also have the ability to rotate Bryant between third base and DH to keep him fresh.

How Bryant‘s Salary Compares to MLB‘s Best Players

Thanks to his megadeal with Colorado, Bryant now ranks among the highest paid players in Major League Baseball:

• His $26 million AAV is 7th highest in MLB
• Higher than Bryce Harper ($26M), Manny Machado ($30M)
• Below Mike Trout ($37M), Mookie Betts ($30.4M)
• $4M less than former teammate Jason Heyward

Here is a full list of MLB‘s top-10 highest average salaries:

1. Mike Trout – $37 million
2. Gerrit Cole – $36 million
3. Max Scherzer – $30 million
4. Trevor Bauer – $30 million
5. Francisco Lindor – $29.3 million
6. Manny Machado – $30 million
7. Kris Bryant – $26 million
8. Bryce Harper – $26 million
9. Anthony Rendon – $28.3 million
10. Stephen Strasburg – $31 million

While Bryant is no longer performing at his 2016 MVP peak, his consistent 5-6 WAR value and stardom make him very deserving of a top-tier salary in today‘s market. The Rockies are getting an elite player right in his prime years.

Bryant‘s Legacy and Career Highlights with Cubs

Though he dawned the purple pinstripes for Chicago, Kris Bryant‘s legacy will always be defined by the seven magnificent seasons he gave to the Cubs and their fans:

Helping Deliver the Long Awaited World Series Title

Cubs fans waited 108 painful years between World Series championships. Bryant was the MVP at the center of the 2016 team that finally ended the infamous curse. His clutch hitting and defense helped bring home that elusive championship parade down Michigan Avenue.

Record-Setting Power Production

Bryant burst onto the scene in 2015 by smashing 26 home runs, the most ever by a Cubs rookie. He became the fastest player to 70 career home runs in MLB history. In his MVP season of 2016, he led the National League with 39 long balls. His flawless power swing dazzled crowds at Wrigley for years.

Mentoring Young Fans

One of Bryant‘s most endearing bonds was the mentorship relationship he developed with young fan Abby Naumann. Abby suffered from a rare lung disorder, and Bryant became a source of inspiration through regular visits. He exemplified using his platform as a star player to lift up others.

Earning Universal Respect

Despite being a rival star player, Bryant was so widely respected around the league that he was chosen by fellow NL players to start in the All-Star game every season from 2015-2019. His humility, joy for the game, and excellence made him one of MLB‘s most beloved figures.

Defining a New Era in Cubs Baseball

Along with Anthony Rizzo, Kyle Schwarber, and Javier Baez, Bryant headlined a bold, young, power-packed Cubs core that transformed the franchise from lovable losers to perennial contenders. His Draft day debut in 2015 ushered in the most successful period in Cubs history since the early 1900s.

So while Bryant etched his name into the history books wearing #17 for the Cubs, his lasting legacy will be ending a curse that had defined generations of Cubs fans. He fulfilled the prophecy and delivered a long-awaited championship to the North Side faithful who adored him.