Will Bryant's next 3B start come during ASG?

Calling Kris Bryant a utility player just does not seem right, given his stature and stardom. Describing him as a third baseman -- his primary position -- also feels wrong at the moment, considering he has bounced all over the diamond this year for the Cubs.

So, what label should go before Bryant's name?

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"Good player," Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said with a laugh this past weekend at Wrigley Field.

When it comes to the 2021 All-Star Ballot, the issue here, of course, is that Bryant must be placed into a positional category. So, given the expectation that he would be Chicago's everyday third baseman, that is the box fans can find him in for casting their votes for next month's Midsummer Classic.

On Monday, the first wave of balloting results were released, and Bryant easily ranked first among National League third basemen with 502,970 votes. Next behind Bryant at the hot corner are the Cardinals' Nolan Arenado, with 219,189 votes, and the Dodgers' Justin Turner, with 198,807 votes.

Last week, Bryant was amused by the idea that he could be the NL's starter at third base, when that has turned into a secondary position for him this season.

"I don't know what they have to do about that," Bryant said with a smirk during the Cubs' recent road trip to San Diego. "I don't know if there's ever been a situation like this. There's not a utility position in the All-Star Game. Maybe I can make my pitch for that.

"I don't know. That would be weird. I feel like I would have to start playing some games at third to make it seem legit."

Bryant did open the season as the Cubs' third baseman, but setbacks around the roster initiated a chain reaction that led to him shifting to the outfield. Injuries to Joc Pederson, Ian Happ, Nico Hoerner and Jason Heyward at different points created a tough outfield puzzle for manager David Ross. Bryant helped solve it with his willingness to hand the keys to third over to someone else.

And then, while Bryant moved between all three outfield positions, it opened the door for third basemen like Matt Duffy (currently on the injured list) and Patrick Wisdom to step in and make an impact on the lineup. Bryant started at third on Saturday against the Cardinals, marking his first game at the position since April 20.

"For me, it shows that he's not selfish. It shows he's a team guy," Cubs third-base coach Willie Harris said. "He could easily say, 'Hey, I only want to play third base.' But, that's not who Kris Bryant is."

Heading into Monday's series with the Mets, here were Bryant's most-played positions by innings this season:

Right field: 136 innings

Third base: 127 2/3 innings

Left field: 109 1/3 innings

First base: 75 innings

Center field: 64 2/3 innings

While shifting between five positions, Bryant has also rediscovered his MVP-caliber production at the plate after last year's injury-marred campaign. Through 60 games, he has hit .297/.377/.554 with 13 homers, 16 doubles, 39 RBIs and 40 runs scored.

Bryant ranked fifth in the NL in extra-base hits (30), total bases (123), WAR (2.5, per Fangraphs) and wRC+ (154) and sixth in OPS (.931) entering Monday. His 1.8 Baserunning Runs above average ranked 12th in the Senior Circuit.

No matter where Bryant is on the diamond, he is more than worthy of a spot on the NL All-Star squad.

"He's the MVP of the league right now," said Andy Green, the Cubs' bench coach and infield instructor. "He's playing all over the field, and he's doing a great job for us. That sets the tone for everybody else."

Hoyer said it was reminiscent of 2016, when Bryant took home the NL MVP Award in his second season in the Majors. That year, Bryant made 100 starts at third, another 48 in the outfield and six at first base.

Bryant is no longer a young player trying to fall in line, though. He is now a veteran on the team.

"It's one thing to do it in 2016, when you're in your second year," Hoyer said. "It's probably like there's some peer pressure to do it. But now, he'd have the ability to say, 'I'm not doing this.' He embraces it and it gives Rossy tremendous versatility."

Bryant is also giving fans something to think about when they cast their ballot.

Should a utility man be the starter at third base?

"Utility guys," Hoyer said, "you picture having four homers on the year and being slappy little guys. We have a 6-foot-5 utility guy that has power."