Kris Bryant hits first Coors Field home run with Rockies since signing $182M deal in 2022

Jason Owens

The Colorado Rockies surely envisioned more of this when they signed Kris Bryant to a $182 million contract in the 2021-22 offseason.

The former NL MVP hit a home run Monday, launching a hanging, 72 mph breaking ball from Pittsburgh Pirates starter Rich Hill into the left-field stands.

The solo shot cut a 9-0 Rockies deficit to 9-1. More importantly, it marked Bryant's first home run at Coors Field since he joined the Rockies prior to the 2022 season.

Colorado Rockies right fielder Kris Bryant follows the flight of his solo home run off Rich Hill in the third inning Monday. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Colorado Rockies right fielder Kris Bryant follows the flight of his solo home run off Rich Hill in the third inning Monday. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

The Rockies signed the former Cubs slugger hoping he would take advantage of the mile-high Denver air to reinvigorate the form that made him the 2016 MVP in a 39-home run campaign. Instead, in his first season in Colorado, Bryant hit a total of five home runs — none of them at his home park.

Bryant, 31, struggled with injuries in 2022, landing on the injured list on three occasions. Foot issues including plantar fasciitis ended his season on July 31. He played a total of 42 games, slugging .306/.376/.475 with five home runs and 14 RBIs.

He has been healthy so far this season, playing in 16 of Colorado's 17 games. Entering Monday, he was slugging .295/.348/.393 in 15 games. Monday's home run was his second of the season. If he can stay healthy, it projects as the first of many to come at Coors Field.

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