Kris Bryant's Rocky Road in Colorado

Kris Bryant

Kris Bryant Struggles to Find Footing Amid Rockies' Rocky Season

Denver, CO – May 27, 2025 – Kris Bryant, once a cornerstone of the Chicago Cubs' 2016 World Series championship team, continues to face challenges in his tenure with the Colorado Rockies. Since signing a seven-year, $182 million deal in 2022, Bryant has been plagued by injuries and inconsistency, leaving fans and analysts questioning whether the former MVP can regain his elite form.

A Promising Start Derailed by Injuries

Bryant’s arrival in Denver was met with high expectations, but his time with the Rockies has been marred by setbacks. Over the past three seasons, he has missed significant time due to a variety of ailments, including a lingering back issue, plantar fasciitis, and a wrist injury. These physical struggles have limited him to just 162 games in a Rockies uniform—equivalent to a single full season spread across three years.

'Health has been the biggest thing holding me back,' Bryant admitted in a recent press conference. 'I want to be out there every day, contributing, but it’s been frustrating trying to stay on the field.'

Declining Production at the Plate

When healthy, Bryant’s performance has been a far cry from his peak years in Chicago. In 2024, he posted a modest .245 batting average with just 12 home runs in 89 games. This season, his numbers have dipped further, hitting only .218 with a .680 OPS through the first two months.

Rockies manager Bud Black remains optimistic, stating, 'Kris is a professional, and he’s working hard to get back to where he was. We believe he can still be a difference-maker.'

A Contract That Looms Large

With three years and roughly $80 million remaining on his contract, Bryant’s struggles have become a focal point for a Rockies team stuck in rebuilding mode. Colorado currently sits near the bottom of the NL West, and Bryant’s inability to anchor the lineup has only compounded the team’s woes.

Some fans have grown impatient, with social media buzzing about whether the Rockies should explore a trade or even a buyout. However, given his recent performance and injury history, finding a trade partner would be difficult.

Can Bryant Turn It Around?

At 33 years old, Bryant still has time to revive his career, but the window is narrowing. Hitting coach Hensley Meulens has been working with him on mechanical adjustments, particularly in handling fastballs, which have given him trouble this season.

'If anyone can bounce back, it’s Kris,' said teammate Charlie Blackmon. 'He’s too talented not to figure it out.'

For now, the Rockies and their fans are left hoping that Bryant can stay healthy and rediscover the swing that once made him one of baseball’s most feared hitters. If not, his tenure in Colorado may go down as one of the most disappointing big-money signings in franchise history.

—Reporting by Jake Thompson, MLB Insider for The Denver Post

Kris Bryant's Rocky Road in Colorado

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