WATCH: Rockies' Kris Bryant Crushes First Spring Training Home Run of 2023

Colorado Rockies left fielder Kris Bryant hit a home run well over the left field wall off Oakland Athletics pitcher Drew Rucinski to give the Rockies a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning Monday at Hohokam Stadium in Mesa, Arizona. It was Bryant's first home run of 2023.

Kris Bryant is back.

The Colorado Rockies left fielder hit a bomb well over the left field wall off Oakland Athletics pitcher Drew Rucinski to give the Rockies a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning Monday at Sloane Park.

It was Bryant's first home run of 2023.

Kris Bryant clears the berm! pic.twitter.com/CSylE0jJzr

— MLB (@MLB) February 27, 2023

For Bryant, he hopes it is the first of many this year. The former Chicago Cubs third baseman signed a seven-year, $182 million contract with the Rockies last March.

Injuries derailed Bryant's first season with his new ballclub as the 2016 National League MVP played just 42 games, slashing .306/.376/.851 with five home runs and 14 RBI in 181 plate appearances.

If Bryant is able to remain healthy in 2023, it will provide a significant boost to the Rockies. Two years ago, the Rockies traded Nolan Arenado to the St. Louis Cardinals. A year later, the club said goodbye to shortstop Trevor Story. The club hoped that adding Bryant could somewhat make up for the loss of its cornerstone infielders. Bryant's bat was sorely missing last year and the Rockies finished 68-94, in dead last of the National League West. It was the worst record the club had posted in a single season since 2015.

Bryant's blast put the Rockies on the board early, as the club took a 1-0 lead. The Rockies jumped out to a 7-0 lead, as catcher Elias Diaz hit a two-run shot in the fifth inning. The A's did not record a hit until the bottom of the seventh inning, when Oakland outfielder Lawrence Butler hit a double off Rockies pitcher Case Williams.

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