Astros Prospect Alex Bregman Plays Third Base For 1st Time

Houston Astros Top Pick in the 2015 Draft Bregman to Learn Third Base

When Carlos Correa made his debut for the Houston Astros against the Chicago White Sox last year, George Springer took a chance to keep Correa humble. “Hey Correa, the Astros just drafted your replacement.” While Springer was kidding, the Astros draft choice of Alex Bregman created some instant questions. Bregman and Correa both want to stay at shortstop, so who would move when Bregman gets the call?

In interviews that we have done with Jim Callis and J.J. Cooper on Talking Stros, they both have projected that Bregman will either be a third baseman or trade bait. Several people that I have spoken too feel that Bregman will never get a chance to put on an Astros uniform. I disagree, I think that he could be the 2017 Kris Bryant version with the Cubs.

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Bregman could be a player that the Astros could use, so they wait only 14 days to call him up in 2017. In other words, don’t expect for the Astros to call him up in 2016, they will give Colin Moran a chance to take control of third base.

During yesterday’s double-header for the Hooks, Astros fan’s were surprised to see Bregman in the lineup as a third baseman. During the other game, Bregman did play shortstop, but this is a sign that the Astros want to get a look at him at third base. Based on MiLB First Pitch summary, Bregman had five plays while playing third base, one of them was a hit. Without seeing the actual play, you have to assume that it was a play where he couldn’t get the out.

I would assume that he will still play shortstop, but will get some starts at third base knowing that is his most likely future position. According to Jake Kaplan’s article, Luhnow says that they will experiment with Bregman at many positions between second, short, and third base this year with the Hooks. He will still play shortstop primarily but will get cameo starts here or there.

The Astros wanted him to focus on the offensive side of the game before they switched positions on him, now that he has, the defensive rotation may begin. This year at Double-A, Bregman has a slash line of .317/ .411/ .646/ 1.057 with seven homers and 19 runs batted in. Bregman has out-homered slugging prospect A.J. Reed thus far, so all eyes are on the 21-year-old with a gaping hole at third base with Luis Valbuena‘s inconsistent play this year.

Chandler Rome, the former Astros.com intern, watched Bregman play throughout his LSU career. He believes that Bregman has the arm, range, and pop to play third base. You can read his thoughts here after the Astros drafted Bregman here: Inside look as to what Alex Bregman offers the Astros. But the question that remains now that we might know where is when he will make his debut with the Astros?

Interview with Bregman on Talking Stros.

According to Luhnow via Kaplan, “He’s exceeded my expectations, which were high, for him this season, and I think he’s put himself into consideration to quite frankly maybe help our club this year.” This would be a groundbreaking move for the Astros considering their willingness to wait on their prospects. However, Bregman could be that piece that turns the Astros season around. One thing I know for sure is that the Astros will probably promote him to Triple-A before they promote him to Houston, 2017 is more likely though. 2016 is a possibility, but I’ll believe it when I see it.

Next: Astros: Jose Altuve vs. Robinson Cano, Who is the Best 2B in the AL

Interviews With Bregman

Houston Astros: Talking Stros with Alex Bregman (Interview)

Keeping up with the Astros Prospects: ss Alex Bregman

***Stats from Baseball-Reference and MiLB.com***

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