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The Astros Need to go Crazy and Call Up Alex Bregman Soonish?
Houston Astros’ GM Jeff Luhnow has made it be known that any promotion of Alex Bregman would not happen until after the Double-A All-Star game this year. He has had such a great year with the Hooks, they want him to receive some of the recognition that he deserves. Before you say that doesn’t make sense, they did the same thing last year with Tyler White. After winning the home run derby, he was promoted to Triple-A.
Most people think that Bregman will be promoted to Triple-A as well because he has nothing left to prove with the Hooks. Most people would point out how A.J. Reed was so successful at Double-A but has not had the same success at Triple-A until recently. Even though the Astros have called up Danny Worth, I still think that the Astros will call up Reed in the next seven days. It’s a matter of time for Reed, but does Bregman stand a chance?
Let’s assume for argument sake that the Astros, directly after the June 28th Double-A Texas League All-Star game, tell Bregman to fly to Anaheim rather reporting to Fresno. They would be breaking their MO of bringing a hitter directly from Double-A for the first time since they brought up Jose Altuve. They didn’t do it for George Springer, Carlos Correa, or Reed, so why would they change their philosophy for a shortstop who will need to play third base? (He’s only played there six games)
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- Michael Conforto declines Astros’ 2-year, $30 million offer
- Alex Bregman goes off in August, leads Astros
2016 Stats: .311/ 12 doubles/ 13 homers/ 42 RBI/ 4 steals.
While the Astros have had a poor season thus far but have played better recently. For the second straight year, the Astros have struggled to find a first baseman to produce consistently at the plate. This issue should be solved soon with the promotion of Reed, who went 2-5 in Tuesday night’s game with two doubles. The one thing the Astros don’t want to do is call up Reed the same way they did Colin Moran when he was struggling.
This article is about Bregman though, and I keep getting side tracked. I asked Program 15’s Jeremy Booth on whether the Astros should call up Bregman after the Double-A All-Star Game, his response was what most people believe. “He’s not ready.” We have to remember that he was just drafted last June, but he was the second overall pick, though. Booth was a former scout for the Brewers and Mariners, so he knows the difference of talent level between Double-A and the majors.
Here are a few trains of thought here about Bregman using our amygdala, which processes our thoughts, emotions, and memory.
The logical side of the brain would tell us to let him stay and develop in Triple-A a little more, then call him up in September or next year Kris Bryant style. He has not seen Triple-A pitching, which could be vital in his development. Why lose arbitration or team control in a year where nothing is guaranteed?
More from Astros News
- Houston Astros: A Lineup Change to Spark Offense
- Astros prospect Hunter Brown throws 6 shutout innings in debut
- Always faithful Astros World Series champion Josh Reddick defends the title
- Michael Conforto declines Astros’ 2-year, $30 million offer
- Alex Bregman goes off in August, leads Astros
The emotional part of the brain tells you that the Astros are three games from .500, poised for a run with improved play by Carlos Gomez and company against teams not named the Rangers. The Rangers only have a nine game in the AL West, but the more likely goal is the AL wild card. The Astros need a bat like Bregman’s, get him up here right now. He could be the difference that the Astros need to take off in 2016, but he needs to start in the Double-A All-Star game, stupid.
Using our memory part of the brain, we know that the Astros have not had a history of calling up hitters from Double-A, besides Altuve, so why would things change now? Correa was the better prospect, and he would have been the guy called up. The definition of insane is expecting a different outcome, and it would be insane for the Astros to bring up Bregman.
With all that said, it would be very interesting to see Bregman in an Astros uniform in late June or July. With all the expectations coming into the year, they will want to strike. Instead of trading Bregman to get a proven player, they might just want to see what Bregman can do in the big leagues. It may be crazy and illogical to bring up Bregman, but hey, what if he can change the Astros fortunes?
Next: Astros’ Left Fielder Colby Rasmus is Struggling
What does Bregman offer the Astros, a power/contact hitter who has walked more than he has struck out this year? He would be the perfect fit as the second hitter in the Astros lineup, extending the lineup as my Talking Stros cohost always brings up during the show. Will the Astros make that move, who knows? Who could have the biggest impact bat, that would be Bregman?
***Stats from Baseball-Reference***