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Astros: Alex Bregman is this generation’s Chipper Jones?

By Clint Irle

HOUSTON, TX - JUNE 27: Alex Bregman #2 of the Houston Astros gestures to the dugout after hitting a walk-off, two-run home run 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 gestures to the dugout after hitting a walk-off, two-run home run 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) /
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It’s been remarkable to watch Alex Bregman play baseball. He’s been a cornerstone to the Astros offense this season and is making his case for AL MVP consideration.

Every generation welcomes talent that is comparable to the greatness we have seen in the past. At 24, Alex Bregman is making his case for consideration as the best third basemen of our generation. Most notably, this generation’s Chipper Jones. It is still early in Bregman’s career, but let’s take a look at how the two players compare.

The Numbers Don’t Lie

At the age of 24, Chipper Jones collected a .309 BA, 30 HRs, 110 RBIs and an OPS of .923, earning a spot on the All-Star team and finishing 4th in NL MVP voting that season. All stats via Baseball-Reference. Bregman has held a comparable stat line, which is still in progress. He now carries a .290 BA, 25 HRs, 85 RBIs and an OPS of .921, along with being one of a handful of players who has more walks than strikeouts.

Numbers don’t lie, and the comparison deserves consideration due to Bregman’s ability to produce, even in high-leverage situations.

The MVP consideration

In 1996, a 24-year-old Jones finished 4th in NL MVP voting. In 2018, a 24-year-old Bregman has played his way into AL MVP consideration. Bradford Doolittle talked about the AL MVP race back on August 23rd. In his article, he lists Bregman as the 5th player on the list. Although Bregman faces the likes of Mookie Betts and Mike Trout among this race, this September can change things dramatically, and we all now Bregman is great under pressure. You can read more of Bradford’s article by clicking the link here.

If you ask yourself, what player has been most valuable to the Astros this season? Alex Bregman deserves heavy consideration. He has been the strongest offensive player in the absence of Jose Altuve, George Springer and Carlos Correa. Did I mention he’s clutch?

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As fans, we are fortunate to watch the talent on this Astros team. No matter how what, Bregman works hard to be great, and it’s paying dividends for the Astros and his career.

***Stats and data courtesy of Baseball-Reference, Bradford Doolittle, and Richard Justice***

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