Astros: Alex Bregman says he will be 100% on Opening Day

With Bregman being 100% on Opening Day, what can we expect from the All-Star and the Astros?

In an exclusive interview with Alex Bregman, I had the opportunity to talk about a few things including the All-Star’s health and expectations for the upcoming season. Even with a delayed start to live games, the right-hander kept with his offseason progressions in workouts in West Palm Beach, Fla.

“I’ve been working hard in correcting my running form,” Bregman said. “Also while improving routines with our training staff. I did show up a little banged up to camp, but I’m healthy now and ready to compete.”

While Bregman is entering his sixth season with the franchise, this Astros’ team is showing new faces among their core and looking at an even slate of competition. With Houston expected to take the division this year, the Los Angeles Angels and Oakland A’s are trailing the same ballpark by projections. For a player like Bregman, he will look to bounce back, after the small sample size season didn’t show the best of his career numbers.

“My personal goal is to have the best season I’ve had yet,” Bregman said. “Our team goal I think never wavers; we want to be the last team standing.”

There have been those who don’t care about spring numbers, and then, those repeatedly asking how certain players’ statistics are looking. Although you expect players to succeed, the numbers don’t mean much in the end. For an everyday starter like Bregman, he is looking to make good contact against effective pitching at an elite level. Spring numbers don’t affect a starter’s zeros on his check, but it helps with their timing and adjustments.

“What people look for in spring training is swinging at good pitches and hitting them hard,” Bregman explained. “If you continue this over the course of the season, their numbers are going to be amazing.”

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While a Houston Astros’ team has been riddled with injuries, loss of franchise players and changes in the front office, a few things hold true such as Alex Bregman being the starting third baseman. Although battling hamstring discomfort in 2020, the right-hander entered 2021 spring training nursing another small leg injury. In the midst of holding his progression back, Bregman will be 100% out of the gates on Opening Day.

Although a little banged up at the start of spring training, the Astros’ third baseman made his ’21 spring debut on March 16. The right-hander has exceeded expectations in a small sample size, while slugging .706 and having the highest OPS of any Houston batter. While changes have been made from the clubhouse to the front office, this Astros’ team is still in position to compete, and with Bregman being 100%, we can only hope for a bounce back season.

Bregman has looked strong at the plate this season, while hitting a solo home run against the New York Mets on Sunday:

The team also announced that Chas McCormick and Robel Garcia have made the Opening Day roster, while holing 40-man seats. While accompanying to the new standards with the pandemic, the Astros have moved forward with getting the vaccine to all active players before Opening Day. And in minor league news: more information on the coaching staffs can be found here.