VIDEO: Cubs' Bryant hits 1st career homer, returns to empty dugout

Kris Bryant's career-long home run drought is finally over.

The Chicago Cubs phenom snapped a 73 at-bat homerless slump with a towering three-run shot to center off Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Kyle Lohse on Saturday for his first home run as a major leaguer.

One down, a lot more to come.

"It was good to get the first one out of the way; it's kind of been a while," Bryant told reporters after the Brewers' 12-4 win. "I know the type of player I am. I've always hit home runs in my life. Just because I hadn't hit one in my time up here I wasn't pressing at all."

(Courtesy: MLB.com)

Bryant, who led the minors with 43 homers last season, put the Cubs ahead 3-2 with the blast, which measured at 392 feet, according to MLB Gameday.

Given Bryant's highly-anticipated arrival - and the ensuing hype and controversy over his delayed promotion - it's only fitting his teammates put a twist on the silent celebration by hiding in the clubhouse.

"I come back to the dugout and nobody," he said. "They were all waiting by the door and then it was kind of like a mosh pit, punching me and all that kind of stuff. It was fun."

The Cubs super prospect said he never wavered from his approach, even as the spotlight intensified and the homerless at-bats piled up. He entered play Saturday with 17 walks in 20 games and tied for the team lead in doubles (six).

"I was just trying to do my job to help the team win," he said. "That's what I've said all along. I think so far I've been doing a pretty good job, but I think I can do even better."

The 23-year-old ranks third among major-league rookies in RBIs (17) and sixth in OPS (.810) through 21 games.