Where Does Kris Bryant Rank Among All-Time Cubs Third Basemen?

Kris Bryant has become a star with the Chicago Cubs and it did not take long at all for fans to learn his name. Bryant won the National League Rookie of the Year Award in 2015 and followed that up by taking home MVP honors a year later. The third baseman is already a three-time All-Star and has a career WAR of 23.9. That is good for 30th in team history among position players.

This begs the question of where Bryant ranks all-time among third basemen in Cubs history. In only five seasons, Bryant has a claim to be near the top of the list.

Ron Santo is firmly cemented atop any list rankings the best third basemen in Cubs history. The Hall of Famer was with the Cubs from 1960-1973 and won five Gold Gloves at the hot corner. His career WAR of 72.1 is only behind Cubs legend Cap Anson on the team's all-time list.

After Santo, names like Stan Hack and Aramis Ramirez come to mind. Hack played with the Cubs from 1932-1947 and managed the team from 1954-1956. His career WAR of 54.8 ranks eighth in team history and his accolades include making five All-Star Games and winning four National League pennants with the Cubs. Ramirez was traded to the Cubs in 2003 and was with the team through the 2011 season. He posted a 24.1 WAR during his time in Chicago and hit 239 home runs in those nine seasons. Ramirez made two All-Star Games as well.

Santo is atop the list. As of right now Hack would have to be second because of his entire career. However, Bryant does have a claim if we project the future based on what he has already done in five years. The MVP season, and his WAR through five years, puts him ahead of Ramirez at this point.

Third base has been a tough spot for the Cubs to fill after Santo. Ramirez's tenure was successful, but Bryant is on a whole different level and could be in the conversation for best Cubs 3B of all-time when all is said and done, assuming he stays on Chicago's North Side.