If you turn the clock back to 2018 and 2019, Alex Bregman was one of the top ten players in the majors. After those seasons, the Houston Astros third-baseman finished fifth and second in AL MVP voting. In 2020, 2021, and the beginning of this season, Bregman was not the same guy. While he was still an above-average player, there was a large amount of regression. Bregman was one of the faces of the Astros sign-stealing scandal, so his regression certainly looked bad in the face of the public. He also dealt with many injuries, which could have contributed to his struggles. His play was not at the same level in the past few seasons.
At the beginning of this season, it was more up-and-down play from Bregman. Since the calendar turned to August, however, it has been nothing but an upwards arrow. The 28-year-old is hitting .372 with 15 extra-base hits and 20 RBI in August. This incredible hot streak is reminiscent of his MVP-caliber seasons of 2018 and 2019. It looks as though Bregman has turned a corner and returned to his former All-Star level of play. Let’s dive into the numbers of Bregman’s 2022 season and compare them to his peak run of a few years ago.
Alex Bregman
Into the Numbers
The one aspect of Bregman’s game that has not wavered throughout his career is his plate discipline. According to Baseball Savant, his chase rate is in the 100th percentile, which means he rarely chases. In his best seasons, as well as this one, Bregman has a top ten walk percentage while also being top ten in the lowest strikeout percentage. Once again, he has more walks than strikeouts this season.
Breggy bomb No. 20. pic.twitter.com/XoBtxBaabZ
— MLB (@MLB) August 28, 2022
Bregman is an anomaly in terms of hard-hit percentage. His hard hit percentage has only been above average once in his career, in 2018. This season it is in the 42nd percentile, which is a little below average, but that is the same percentile in 2019, his best season. He enters Sunday with a 7.8 barrel percentage, which would be a career-high if it holds up. Based on the advanced metrics, Bregman is hitting the ball as well as he ever has. With this recent hot streak, Bregman’s season numbers are finally starting to reflect that.
Bregman’s Overall Statistics
Overall, this season has been Bregman’s best since 2019. In 123 games entering Sunday, Bregman is slashing .268/.369/.474 with 34 doubles and 19 home runs. He has scored 77 runs and driven in 75 runs. Bregman is top ten in the AL in several categories, including OPS, runs scored, RBI, doubles, walks, and extra-base hits. While his .842 OPS isn’t quite at the level in 2018 and 2019, Bregman is back to being a key contributor in a loaded Astros lineup.
Houston needs Bregman to be great to achieve the ultimate goal of capturing another World Series championship. The Astros are already getting productive offensive seasons from Jose Altuve, Yordan Alvarez, and Kyle Tucker. If Alex Bregman continues at this rate, Houston can win it all.
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