Houston Astros: Talking Stros With Alex Bregman (Interview)

Mar 7, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Houston Astros shortstop Alex Bregman (82) throws to first base for the out against the New York Yankees during the third inning at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 7, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Houston Astros shortstop Alex Bregman (82) throws to first base for the out against the New York Yankees during the third inning at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports

Houston Astros’ Alex Bregman’s Recent Interview with Talking Stros

This past Sunday, we interviewed Alex Bregman on Talking Stros right after he played third base for the first time. Bregman can not have gotten off to a better start this year at Double-A Corpus Christi, prompting the Astros front office to consider promoting Bregman to the Astros at some point this year. While that would be very shocking and a change of philosophy about bringing up their star prospects, this could be the player to lead the Astros back to the playoffs.

Normally, when a GM starts hinting at a player possibly coming up this year, you take that seriously. With Colin Moran currently up with the Astros, Bregman is not needed right away, but he could be moving on up soon after hitting his 10th homer last night in 27 games. He has a .706 slugging percentage, which is about a 48% rise from his .475 percent last season. 

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Bregman is also slowly being transformed into a third baseman with the presence of Carlos Correa at shortstop. He has played a few games there with the Hooks, but the injury to Matt Hyde could slow him moving away from shortstop. This kid seems to be the real deal and could get up to Triple-A or the Astros soon.

Previous Interviews

Houston Astros: Talking Stros with Alex Bregman (Interview)

Keeping up with the Astros Prospects: ss Alex Bregman

Let’s see what he had to say this time around.

Talking Stros: I hear that you are bunking with Derek Fisher, how is that going?

Bregman: It’s going great, he’s a lot of fun. He is hysterical on and off the field, he is a great teammate. We are trying to have as much fun as possible and win some games. We have been winning more recently, seven out of last eight.

Talking Stros: Were you happy for Joseph Musgrove getting the call to Triple-A?

Bregman: Joe was one of the best arms that I have seen in Double-A so far. When players would reach second base, they would tell me that they are glad that Musgrove is gone because he is tough. It was pretty well known that he was a stud.

Talking Stros: How are you feeling at the plate, is it different than Lancaster pitching?

Bregman: Every level I have gone up has been better, but as you move up, you get better as well. I feel very confident this year, I feel like the preparation I have put in during the offseason has helped. I’m trying to control my what I can control which I can control, which is preparation, attitude, and effort. A.J. Hinch told me this spring to focus on the little things to get better at the little things, and your time will come.

I was seeing the ball really well early in the season before I went on the DL with a little hamstring issue. I haven’t felt it since I have been back, I am fine body wise, now I need to get back to seeing the ball as I was early.

Talking Stros: How is the move to third base going?

Bregman: I’m enjoying it, I like it, first off I think that I can play shortstop at the major league level. If the Astros want me to play a different position, I’m more than willing, the move to third base is going great. I’ve been taking ground balls there and I got to play there too, I was supposed to play there, today (Sunday), but the game was postponed.

I’m feeling comfortable, it won’t be long, maybe a few games before I feel like third base is my home.

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Talking Stros: Do you follow what the big club is doing at all?

Bregman: We watch some of the games on TV, but a lot of people in my life who have been up and down in the majors have told me just to focus on what’s going on down here. I’m not that worried about anywhere else besides where I am. If I try to be the best player I can be, it will help my chances to get up there.

Talking Stros: Are you surprised with the power you are showing this year?

Bregman: I’m not, neither are the people I train with back home. It goes back to the preparation that I have done this offseason, and we really worked on hitting the ball when it’s inside to the left side of the field for singles and doubles. But when I do pull the ball, we want it in the air. Focus on driving the baseball, in college, they teach you to hit the ball on the ground and hit the ball on the line. I’ve also put on 20 pounds since I left college, those adjustments should help me with the power.

Talking Stros: What was your best moment in professional baseball so far?

Bregman: When I hit a walk-off home run this year because that was my first ever walk-off, it was a cool experience.

Talking Stros: This spring, you had a custom phone case designed by Jake Marisnick. Can you tell us about that?

Bregman: I was taking funny pictures of Marisnick and George Springer, I was messing with them a little bit, so they decided to take my phone while I was in the training room. They made me a new phone case, 45 minutes later I finally found it all taped up.

Next: Houston Astros: Corpus Christi Player Spotlight – J.. Davis

Thanks to Alex Bregman for taking the time to join Talking Stros. There was much more said, including what he thought about Evan Gattis behind the plate and what is was like hanging out with the veterans a spring camp this year. If you would like to listen to the rest, click the link above.

***Stats from Baseball-Reference***

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