Astros: Alex Bregman promotion in the works?

Forget the talk about 2017, one of the Astros top prospects could make an impact THIS season.

The Astros top prospect, Alex Bregman, is now rumored to be on the precipice of joining the Major Leagues. Yes, you read that right. Another top prospect could be playing with Houston as soon as this weekend.

The LSU product has been one of the Astros top prospects since joining the organization in 2015 as the second overall pick in the MLB Draft. But his stock has significantly risen in 2016 as he has hit a combined .309/.416/.603 with 19 home runs in 272 minor league at-bats with the Corpus Christi Hooks and Fresno Grizzlies.

Even though the Astros are on a roll as of late, it is reasonable to question whether this team should look within for improvements. Normally Bregman wouldn’t be an option with the way Luis Valbuena and Marwin Gonzalez have been performing as of late. However, his play has essentially forced the Astros hand. You know, plays like this below.

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If Bregman can bring anything similar to this level of production to the Astros lineup, then the offense could truly take off in 2016. And with the team management enamored with Carlos Correa at shortstop, Bregman will see the bulk of any playing time at third base. This potential development would also allow the Astros flexibility at first base with A.J. Reed, Valbuena, and Gonzalez all in the fold for playing time across the diamond.

The Astros will, of course, have to make room for Bregman on the 25- and 40-man roster. While many will point to Reed or Danny Worth being demoted back to Fresno to make room for the 22-year old infielder on the active roster, it is a bit of a guessing game of whom the Astros will remove from the 40-man roster.

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And sure, it is just an expectation at this point that the Astros will call up Bregman this weekend. It very well may not happen. Until a team officially announces a move, then there is going to be a certain amount of uncertainty if the promotion will actually come to pass. But if a source like ESPN’s Jim Bowden is putting his name behind then it has to carry some weight. And that has to be only good news for the Astros.

**Statistics provided by Baseball-Reference**