Kris Bryant basks as center of attention at Big League Weekend

By Case Keefer (contact)

Friday, April 1, 2016 | 2 a.m.

First, fans swarmed him in the parking lot.

Media did the same once he stepped out of the dugout. More autograph hounds assembled after the conclusion of batting practice.

Everywhere Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant turned Thursday afternoon at Cashman Field before the first pitch of his team’s Big League Weekend game against the New York Mets, a mob awaited. The Bonanza High graduate greeted them all with a grin.

“I love this city,” Bryant said. “I plan on living here for the rest of my life. I love everything about it.”

A pair of games in his hometown — the Cubs beat the Mets 5-1 Thursday with the series concluding at 1:05 this afternoon — is a welcomed way to end spring training for Bryant. The Cubs begin their season Monday in Anaheim with a series against the Angels.

It’s a season with the highest of expectations. The Cubs are the World Series favorites in every sports book around town, in large part because of Bryant.

The 24-year-old won Rookie of the Year honors last year after belting 26 home runs and 99 RBI, leading the team within a series of its first World Series appearance in 70 years.

“And I’m going to tell you: He’s a much better hitter this year,” Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. “I’ve already seen it. He’s driving in runs with singles, which I think is going to put him in that 100-plus (RBI) category on an annual basis.”

Maddon stressed he wasn’t alarmed that Bryant had hit only one home run this spring training, as compared with nine last year. If anything, Maddon is encouraged that Bryant has a strong mindset bred out of knowing his importance to the franchise.

A year ago, Bryant finished spring training pressing to make the opening day roster. He didn’t, getting sent down to Triple-A reportedly so the Cubs could manipulate his service time and push his free agency back a year.

Bryant is more at ease this year, able to relax in what he considers an ideal location while soaking up some nostalgia.

“So many good memories from club ball to high school ball and all my friends here,” Bryant said.

Bryant’s most publicized friend is former little league teammate Bryce Harper, the National League MVP last season, but he squared off with someone he’s even closer to on Thursday.

Paul Sewald, a Bishop Gorman graduate, started for the Mets. Bryant and Sewald were teammates at the University of San Diego.

“I played against him for three years in high school and then three years in college, a lot of intrasquad games, a lot of me not liking him on the mound,” Bryant said. “I’m so excited to see him up here. He deserves every minute of this just as much as I do. He’s one of the great players to come from Vegas, and I’m glad to see him doing so well.”

The two spent the offseason playing golf together, trash-talking their way through local courses. With only one encounter Thursday, bragging rights will go to Sewald.

Bryant swung at a first-pitch fastball from Sewald in the first inning, hitting a drive to the warning track in left centerfield that the Mets’ Yoenis Cespedes snagged.

“I think he’s one of the most underrated prospects in all of baseball,” Bryant said of Sewald.

Many referred to Bryant as one of baseball’s best prospects over the last couple years, but now he’s simply one of the game’s best players. Maddon has marveled at how well he’s handled everything.

Whether it’s improving his swing or embracing the madness that surrounds him, Bryant has excelled.

“His focus is so good, his work is spectacular,” Maddon said. “He’s full of energy. I think he does balance things extremely well.”

Case Keefer can be reached at 702-948-2790 or [email protected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.