Astros AM Breakdown: Alex Bregman named AL Player of the Month

HOUSTON, TX - JUNE 27: Alex Bregman #2 of the Houston Astros watches his walk-off, two-run home run leave the park in the ninth inning to give the Houston Astros a 7-6 win over the Toronto Blue Jays at Minute Maid Park on June 27, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - JUNE 27: Alex Bregman #2 of the Houston Astros watches his walk-off, two-run home run leave the park in the ninth inning to give the Houston Astros a 7-6 win over the Toronto Blue Jays at Minute Maid Park on June 27, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

This post may be a tad late, but how can I NOT write about third baseman Alex Bregman?

The Astros‘ offense was quite good throughout the month of June. By wRC+, only the Yankees — 115 wRC+ — were able to match Houston’s offense — 115 wRC+ — for roughly four weeks. A key reason behind the Astros’ offensive ascension was the performance of Alex Bregman.

  • .306 batting average

  • .372 on-base percentage

  • .713 slugging percentage

  • 11 home runs

  • 30 RBI

  • 24 runs

  • 194 wRC+

In response to his incredible June, Bregman was named both AL Player of the Week and AL Player of the Month on Monday.

I hope Bregman has invested in a trophy cabinet at his home. I would recommend a nice mahogany trophy case. How about a cherry wood? A walnut case wouldn’t be a bad choice.

Anyway, it is quite obvious to see why Bregman was tabbed as AL Player of the Month. Only Nelson Cruz matched Houston’s third baseman in home runs with 11. Mike Trout and Shin-Soo Choo each maintained a higher wRC+, but the overall body work points to Bregman in the month of June.

In terms of franchise history, Bregman joins Art Howe as the only Houston third basemen to win a Player of the Month award.

If you look at the season in its entirety, an argument can be made that Bregman has been the team’s best hitter.

Qualified Astros hitters by wRC+, 2018

Bregman has also been the only Astro regular to post a higher walk rate — 13.1% — than strikeout rate — 12.5% — this season. And in terms of overall production, only Altuve’s 3.8 fWAR tops Bregman’s 3.5 fWAR. Yes, by fWAR, Houston’s third baseman has been the second-most valuable position player on the Astros.

The former first-round draft pick has continued to improve each season in the majors. When anyone talks about the franchise’s core players, Bregman has been on the short list. That much hasn’t changed.

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