‘Uber super-utility guy’ Kris Bryant surging for Cubs

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Kris Bryant hits a home run in the seventh inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Wrigley Field on May 12, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

In his first appearance at first base since July 20 of last season, it didn’t take long for Kris Bryant to be challenged Sunday.

With the Brewers’ Lorenzo Cain on first in the first inning, Christian Yelich hit a grounder to Bryant. Instead of throwing immediately to second, Bryant faked a throw, touched first to retire Yelich, then threw to second to trap Cain in a rundown for a less traditional double play.

‘‘Right off the bat, I get a ball,’’ Bryant said. ‘‘I have to turn two, and I’m like, ‘Jeez, I haven’t taken a ground ball over here in maybe a year and half or something.’ I don’t even know. It’s just kind of instincts.’’

Those instincts have been a hallmark of Bryant’s game since he came to the Cubs in 2015. Whether manager Joe Maddon puts Bryant at first base, left field, right field or wherever, he’ll know what to do. There’s no concern Bryant will freeze or look out of place, and Sunday was another example of that versatility.

‘‘It’s great,’’ left-hander Jon Lester said. ‘‘Kris is kind of like an uber super-utility guy, it seems like. He plays all the outfield positions, and [Sunday] he slides over to first. Makes a great double play [in the first].’’

Already this season, Bryant has started at his customary third base, along with right field, left field and now first base. In the last four games, he has seen time at those four positions, giving Maddon added flexibility with Ben Zobrist still out of commission.

It’s a role Bryant seems to relish.

‘‘I enjoy it; I don’t mind moving around at all,’’ Bryant said. ‘‘I know that’s what Joe likes to do, and I’m ready for it.’’

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And to make things better for the Cubs, it’s not like Bryant’s offense has suffered while he has moved around the diamond. If anything, his production is increasing.

Maddon noted some people wonder whether switching from position to position can have a negative effect on production. But Bryant, Maddon said, thrives when he’s moving around.

‘‘It just keeps it fresh for him; I think he likes the freshness of it,’’ Maddon said. ‘‘I think it also probably takes something off the hitting, where he spends more time thinking about his defense. He’s able to utilize his athleticism. I think it keeps it fresh. That’s probably the best way I could describe it.’’

On Sunday, Bryant went 3-for-4 with a home run and three runs scored. His 22-game streak of getting on base is the longest in the majors, and he finished the 10-game homestand with a .353 average. Not bad for a guy who got off to a slow start.

‘‘He’s such a versatile guy, and then obviously his offense speaks for itself,’’ Lester said. ‘‘We all knew that Kris wasn’t going to be what he was a couple of weeks ago. He’s starting to look like the Kris of old and feeling healthy. That’s obviously a huge boost for our club.’’

Whether it’s coincidence or just a regression to his mean, Bryant’s numbers have jumped since he first used an ax-handle bat in late April at Arizona. On Sunday, Bryant’s pink Mother’s Day bat had the ax-handle, and he said he’d stick with that style.

At this point, there’s no reason for Bryant to change. He’s hitting well and the Cubs are in first place, having won eight consecutive series for the first time since July 28-Aug. 27, 2008.

‘‘It’s always next guy up,’’ Bryant said. ‘‘We trust everybody on this team. It’s really fun to be a part of.’’

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