Boras: Cubs have done a great job with Bryant, Russell

Scott Boras, the outspoken agent of Kris Bryant, was among the most virulent critics of the Chicago Cubs several months ago when the club optioned his highly touted client to the minors for service-time purposes.

On Thursday, however, Boras spoke of the Cubs with effusive praise, applauding the organization's handling of Bryant and fellow prospect (and client) Addison Russell, both of whom were promoted to Chicago in mid-April.

"This organization's people and development for both Kris and Addison, they've done a great job," Boras told reporters before the Cubs played the San Diego Padres on Thursday. "These guys have dramatically improved since they've joined this team. Addison, since he was traded here a year ago has jumped up. It's really a credit to all his coaches."

During spring training, Boras said it "hurts baseball" and that it damages the Major League Baseball brand when teams make decisions that prevent the best players from playing at the game's highest level. It appears any resentment Boras had towards the Cubs has subsided in recent weeks, as Bryant and Russell have established themselves as indispensable members of Chicago's roster.

"Joe [Maddon] has done a great job at the major league level with giving these guys a psychological approach," Boras said. "Joe Maddon is a talent. He's very good at giving the players a focus at a variety of levels of their careers. And that has a lot to do with why they're performing so well in their careers."

Boras, as it happens, watched Bryant extend his hitting streak to 10 games Thursday in San Diego with a two-run homer in the first inning. Russell, 21, then launched a solo shot off Dale Thayer in the top of the seventh, punctuating a 3-0 victory over the Padres.