Alex Bregman’s Journey Back to Form

Alex Bregman, the Chicago Cubs third baseman, faced significant struggles early in the season. In May, he texted his manager, Craig Counsell, to explain his approach. During this time, Bregman often took pitches down the middle or middle-in. He explained to Counsell that swinging didn’t feel right when he wasn’t in good form. ‘As soon as I load, I know that it’s not right,’ he said, adding that swinging would lead to poor contact instead of swing-and-miss.

Bregman had been aware that his mechanics were off since the start of the season. He knew he needed to fix this to regain his form. The conversation with Counsell revolved around whether Bregman should be more aggressive early in counts to tap into his power. Bregman believed a different approach would be more effective. Counsell noted that Bregman clearly articulated how he planned to improve, even if he couldn’t predict when the turnaround would occur.

Bregman’s work began to pay off in July. That month, he recorded a .263 batting average and a .825 OPS, his best of the season at that point. Since July 27, Bregman has been outstanding, tying for the MLB lead in hits and RBIs, ranking second in slugging and home runs, and third in OPS. By August, he was hitting .296 with a .370 on-base percentage and .972 OPS.

‘The start of the year was challenging,’ Bregman admitted, stating that his recent performance wasn’t just a hot streak, but reflective of his true capability as a player. He expressed frustration but also a determination to identify and solve the underlying issues. He wanted to avoid similar struggles in the future by fixing these problems for the long term. Bregman emphasized the importance of addressing each at-bat individually rather than trying to make up for a poor stretch all at once.

Bregman relies heavily on his sense of feel for his swing and mechanics, preferring internal cues about body movement over external indicators like the ball’s flight. This approach has been consistent throughout his career, from New Mexico to LSU, and into the big leagues with the Astros and Red Sox. ‘I’ve always thought about mechanics every day in the box,’ Bregman said, noting that his focus on mechanics is not a complexity he invents but a proven part of his process.

Despite challenging months, Bregman remained committed to his routine. Counsell and the Cubs learned much about Bregman’s persistence and dedication throughout his efforts to improve his swing and offensive output. ‘Alex was very consistent in addressing his mechanical challenges,’ Counsell remarked. He praised Bregman’s relentless work ethic and described the lengthy and intensive process Bregman underwent to resolve these issues. This steadfast dedication did not falter, showing Bregman as an extremely dedicated professional.