Astros Countdown: Top Five Second Half Storylines

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SEATTLE, WA – JUNE 23: Alex Bregman #2 of the Houston Astros rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run off of starting pitcher Felix Hernandez #34 of the Seattle Mariners during the fifth inning of a game at Safeco Field on June 23, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images) /

Young players go through growing pains no matter where they are drafted. Former second overall pick and current Astros third baseman Alex Bregman has been struggling at the plate this season.

In 84 games, the 23-year-old is hitting .256 with a .757 OPS, both lower than his 49-game rookie stint back in 2016. He has eight home runs, 27 RBIs and only 40 runs scored in 289 at bats.

However, there are signs that Bregman may be finding his niche offensively. First, he has developed more extra base-type power. He has 21 doubles this season, which is tied for third on the Astros with Springer, and a triple. Also, it seems as though Bregman is seeing the ball better. He has walked more frequently and struck out less often than he did a year ago.

Bregman about to break out?

Bregman may be in store for a monster second half. In the eight games before the All Star break, he hit .321 with a .996 OPS. Of his nine total hits, seven of them were doubles, and he scored himself nine times.

Even though he is such a young player, Bregman is expected to perform well offensively just like the rest of his team. With a spot at the bottom of the lineup, he has the potential to be a gap-power threat that drives in runners from the middle of the lineup. He is a name to watch in the second half.

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