The wait is over, Cubs fans.

Kris Bryant will make his major league debut Friday against the San Diego Padres, playing third base and batting cleanup.

It's been an interesting few months for the 23-year-old top prospect. Even though an incredible spring - in which Bryant hit .425 with nine home runs - wasn't enough to convince the Cubs' top brass to bring the kid north, Chicago instead gained an extra year of control before he can hit free agency.

Need to know

• Bryant started spring training with a bang, crushing his second and third home runs of the spring March 12 against the Los Angeles Angels.

• With third base occupied by Mike Olt in spring, the Cubs experimented with Bryant in the outfield.

• Agent Scott Boras sounds off about the possibility of Bryant starting the season in the minors. He says it would be harmful to the "ethics and brand" of MLB.

• Bryant responds to Boras' statement, saying it's nice to have an agent working for you.

• Bryant's incredible spring continues, this time he hits his eighth homer off Felix Hernandez. His ninth came against the Oakland Athletics.

• Bryant tells ESPN: "Why not me" when asked about making the opening day roster.

• The question whether he will make the big league roster is answered as the Cubs send Bryant down, along with Javier Baez.

• As many expected, the reaction to the news of Bryant being sent down is mainly negative.
• MLBPA reacts
• Jon Lester reacts
• Kris Bryant will use as motivation

• Adidas burns Cubs with Kris Bryant 'Worth The Wait' billboard before opening day

• Bryant crushes 1st minor-league home run of the season. Manager Joe Maddon asked when he may be called up.

• After Olt goes down with injury, reports surface that Bryant will be recalled.

• The Cubs make the news official, as he is in the lineup against the Padres, batting fourth and playing third base

• Bryant's first MLB at-bat occurs in the second inning vs. the Padres' James Shields. He strikes out on 3 pitches. How did Twitter react?

Further Reading

• Bryant's tantalizing power is the main focus behind his hype. David Schoenfield explains why baseball fans should be excited about Bryant's swing. [ESPN]

• Once the shine is off, Bryant's long-term career still has plenty of potential. Dave Cameron tries to temper expectations with a reasonable look at a player he thinks probably won't be a Hall of Famer. [FanGraphs]

• Remember the excitement when Bryce Harper debuted? Keep that in mind with Bryant. Will Leitch offers some perspective on what the game's top prospects of the last 15 years have actually accomplished. [Sports On Earth]

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