Las Vegan Bryant excited to join Cubs

CHICAGO — Kris Bryant, like many before him, hopes he can help the Chicago Cubs become a winner.

The Cubs finalized their agreement Friday with the third baseman, the No. 2 overall pick in last month’s amateur draft.

“This is a dream of mine, and I am very happy to be a Cub,” said Bryant, a former Bonanza High School and University of San Diego standout. “Hopefully, I can play this game for a long time. I am excited to get my journey started.”

Bryant will receive a signing bonus of $6,708,400, the slot value for the selection and the highest amount in the two years since spending restraints began under baseball’s collective bargaining agreement.

The deal was announced a few hours before the deadline for draft picks to sign, other than players who have exhausted their college baseball eligibility.

Bryant, 21, was introduced at a morning news conference, then took part in infield and batting practice. He sent a few pitches into the left-field stands.

“He’s got some impressive leverage in his swing, to hit the ball that far and that high,” Cubs manager Dale Sveum said. “Especially with a little breeze blowing in here, we know it’s not that easy to hit the ball that far.”

Bryant’s first stop will be Chicago’s minor league headquarters in Mesa, Ariz.

“That is very exciting,” Bryant said. “I saw that (Cubs prospect Javier) Baez hit four home runs in a game. I haven’t done that yet. Hopefully I can. All those guys are great players; I’d love to get to know them. I can’t wait to meet them and play alongside of them. Hopefully, we’ll be up here together and winning a World Series.”

After Mesa, Bryant’s first club likely will be the Class-A Boise (Idaho) Hawks in the short-season Northwest League.

The next step could be the Class-A Kane County Cougars, located about 40 miles west of Wrigley Field.

How fast does Bryant expect to move up in the organization?

“That’s not in my hands,” he said. “It’s always been a dream of mine to play in the big leagues, but that’s not in my hands, it’s up to the guys in charge. All I know is, I’m going to go out there and play as hard as I can.”

Bryant’s deal topped the $6.35 million signing bonus pitcher Mark Appel received from Houston as the No. 1 overall pick. Both contracts were negotiated by agent Scott Boras.

The 6-foot-5-inch, 215-pound Bryant led the nation in home runs (31) and runs (80) during his junior season.

He hit .329 with an .820 slugging percentage, 13 doubles, three triples and 62 RBIs in 62 games. He walked 66 times and struck out 44 times in 302 at-bats.