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Houston Astros trying Alex Bregman at multiple positions

By Brody Hilgenkamp

Mar 7, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Houston Astros shortstop Alex Bregman (82) throws to first base for the out against the New York Yankees during the third inning at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 7, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Houston Astros shortstop Alex Bregman (82) throws to first base for the out against the New York Yankees during the third inning at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports /
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Houston Astros top prospect Alex Bregman could make his major league debut this season thanks to his ability to play multiple positions.

Here at Call to the Pen, we love third baseman. In April, I made the argument that the hot corner was the most talented position in baseball and yesterday Joe Perri made the argument the Baltimore Orioles’ Manny Machado belongs in the same discussion as Mike Trout and Bryce Harper. (Machado was moved to shortstop, his natural position, to fill the void left by J.J. Hardy’s injury.)

The hot corner made more news over the weekend when the Houston Astros started giving top prospect Alex Bregman reps at the position. Bregman was a First-Team All-America shortstop at LSU and played in the College World Series in 2013 and 2015. The Astros drafted Bregman second overall in last season’s draft and is MLB Pipeline’s sixth-ranked shortstop.

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Bregman has been crushing minor league pitching even as the Astros have been aggressive in promoting him. So far in 2016 at Double-A, Bregman is leading the Texas League in on-base percentage (.420), is second in weighted on-base average (.454), on-base plus slugging (1.051) and is fourth in slugging (.631). He has a .298/.379/.466 slash line in less than full calendar year as a professional.

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It’s another category, however, that provides the clearest picture of what is driving Bregman’s success: walk-to-strikeout ratio. Bregman is dominating the TL in that category with 1.44 walks per strikeout.

Over the past several seasons, there have been players with similar BB/K at Double-A as Bregman, but few of them have ever sniffed significant major league time. One player who could provide a look at Bregman’s future is Oakland Athletics shortstop Marcus Semien. Semien had a 1.27 BB/K in 2013 while in the Chicago White Sox organization. Also, Semien hit 15 home runs as a major leaguer in 2015, which is in line with Bregman’s power potential.

For Semien, however, 2013 was an aberration. That season he had his highest BB/K—by far—and struck out much more frequently than Bregman did. Here’s a look at Semien’s and Bregman’s production through Double-A:

wOBABABIPOPSBB%K%

Semien 2011-13

.377.317.83012.9

17.8

Bregman 2015-16

.371.303.8329.8

9.6

Bregman clearly relies on contact more than Semien, but otherwise their production has been remarkably similar. That ability to put the ball in play consistently should help Bregman avoid the struggles that Semien has run into this season. (Note: Bregman has put up his numbers in 834 fewer plate appearances.)

Bregman may see his strikeout numbers rise as he climbs the ladder, but his consistent approach looks like it’s taking him to the majors, and quickly, which is why the Astros are trying him at different positions. The team is getting next to nothing from current third baseman Luis Valbuena, so Bregman could take over at some point this season. The Astors are set in the middle infield, so a position change would be necessary in order for Bregman to find playing time.

However, the Astros may want to wait to start Bregman’s service clock. As the summer progresses, the Astros’ playoff chances will become clearer. They’ve been one of the season’s early disappointments, and if they continue to struggle there would be little use in rushing Bregman if promoting him would have no impact on the 2016 season.

Next: Five biggest outlier seasons among current players

One alternative would be to promote Colin Moran. Moran is a natural third baseman and has shown positive signs as a hitter. He is hitting .288/.331/.416 in Triple-A and starting his service clock wouldn’t be as costly for the Astros.

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