CHICAGO (670 The Score) -- It was upon reflection and discussion with Cubs front office members over the winter that manager Joe Maddon vowed to be more hands-on in his approach in 2019 after the team's disappointing end to 2018.
That philosophy has paid off in a key way early, with Cubs star third baseman Kris Bryant crediting Maddon's voice and suggestions in his recent offensive surge, which has come in conjunction with better play from the team itself.
In an injury-plagued 2018 in which he was slowed by a shoulder ailment, Bryant altered his swing in an effort to perform through the pain he was experiencing. That change led to some bad habits leaking into his mechanics this spring and early season even with good health, leading to an early slump in which Bryant was hitting .221 with one homer and a .692 OPS through April 23.
The glitch wasn't significant, but Maddon noticed Bryant was off. Bryant was moving his bat around in a circle behind his head before the pitching was thrown, Maddon told 670 The Score. It seemed to be contributing to Bryant's rhythm being off, and Maddon reviewed video of Bryant's MVP season in 2016 to support his hunch.
"That was something that Joe looked at the video and saw the movement," Bryant said. "It is just about my philosophy of hitting -- is not to have much movement, keep my bat very still. I think it showed how little movement I had in 2016 and the success I had. Now it's nice to hit the ball hard all over the field and watch that method working."
Bryant has heated up lately since making the minor adjustments, hitting .273 (9-of-33) with two doubles, four homers and 10 RBIs in his past nine games.
"I have been feeling really good at the plate," Bryant said. "Since going to Arizona and Seattle, I feel I have been hitting the ball really hard. I have not had the total results I want, but it is just a matter of sticking with it and realizing what I am doing is good and the results will follow."
Bryant has also reached base in 16 consecutive games and has a 1.031 OPS dating back to April 17.
"When you are looking at really good major league players, it is always important to go back and look at what they looked like when they got here," Maddon said of the homework he did on Bryant. "That matters because they got here for a reason. They should not attempt to do things differently. They may add something to what they had been doing and all of a sudden the thing they were doing all along becomes foreign."
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
